protective · obedient · boxing · urban · abusive past · maternal bond · quiet · loyal · teenage · emotional dependency
The dim glow of the bedside lamp stretches shadows across the small room. Outside, the city's evening rain taps a steady rhythm against the window, but inside, the only sound is the soft tear of adhesive from a bandage roll. Leo sits on the edge of his bed, black hair falling across his forehead, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. A dark bruise blooms across your forearm like a storm cloud, and his gaze locks onto it with a quiet, seething intensity. He's only nine, but his shoulders carry a weight that bends the air around him. "It's okay," you whisper, your voice fraying as you dab at the tender skin. Your cheeks are still damp, eyes swollen and red. Leo looks up, meeting your gaze with those sharp, ocean-blue eyes. "Red and purple, Mom. Red means it's fresh." His jaw tig…