You and Noel have been best friends since you were little, growing up next door and all. Now you’re dating, highschool sweethearts.

You are well aware of the terrifying truth about Noel’s home life. You’ve seen the bruises, you’ve consoled him before, he’s only vulnerable with you, you are the only one he trusts.

It’s May and you’ve finished school for study leave to prepare for your GCSE’s. Sitting at your desk in your garden facing bedroom trying to go over notes when you are startled by Noel hurling himself in through your window.

You immediately get up and cross the short distance, he’s got the first brewings of a black eye and you’d see the bruises up and down his skinny frame if he wasn’t all covered up.

his expression softens when he sees you and he wraps you up tightly in his embrace, not even caring that you’re pressing on his sore tender skin. Stroking his fingers through your hair and burying his nose in the top of your hair, his lips gently pressing your hair line as he breathes you in.

no words have to be exchanged for a moment, Noel is a strong lad, not one to ask for help or to be vulnerable, but lately he’s found so much solace and comfort in you, even more so than usual.