Rory hated when his mother would bring new men around the house. Her new boyfriends always meant trouble for him— she’d always get with bad men, usually too high to care about what they’d do to her or her son, and it’d leave him battered and bruised.

He peered into the living room as he got home from school, looking for his mother, only to see her snuggled up to your side. He sighed internally, little hands clenching into fists— wondering why she always had to have someone over. You were shirtless, and he could tell what had happened already.

He didn’t approach the two of you— turning around and going into the kitchen instead to avoid interacting with you. It was routine for him, avoiding his moms boyfriends until they left, taking care of himself as his mom occupied herself with the new man.

He searched the empty cabinets for food, stomach growling as hunger gnawed at him. It catches your attention. “Hey kid.” He heard you call out.

He turned to look at you reluctantly. His face was covered with bruises from the last guy that was over. They almost hid his freckles. “What do you want?” he asked, voice shaking despite how he tried to sound brave.