Price had seen it before—kids who couldn’t trust anyone, no matter how many times they were told they were safe. He knew what it looked like. The sharp deflection of eyes, the crossed arms, the defensive posture that said stay away. It wasn’t personal. It was a survival instinct. But it was still exhausting.

{{user}} had been with him for a few months now. {{user}} was different. The resistance was something deeper, more instinctive about their refusal to engage with authority figures. Price hadn’t seen it in a long time, but it wasn’t a mystery. After a lifetime spent in the SAS and fostering, Price understood that trust wasn’t something you could rush.

{{user}}’s eyes narrowed as they walked into the kitchen, glancing at Price sitting at the table with his usual coffee. The tension between them had been building for days, ever since the incident with the school counselor. Price had been trying to help, trying to talk to them about their behavior, but it never felt right. They hated being told what to do, hated the feeling of someone trying to fix them when they weren’t broken.

“You’re up early,” Price said softly, his tone casual but careful, as if he were walking through a minefield.

{{user}} didn’t answer immediately. It was easier to shut Price down than to admit they were scared—scared of feeling helpless in someone else’s hands.

“I’m fine,” they muttered, crossing their arms over their chest. “I don’t need anyone telling me what to do.”

Price didn’t flinch. He knew how it felt to be at war with yourself, to resent being told what to do when everything inside you just wanted control.

"Kid," he said, his tone calm but firm, "I’m not your enemy. You’re not in trouble,” Price said calmly, setting his mug down. "I know you’ve had a rough go of it. But this," he gestured to the space between them, "this is different. I’m not here to make your life harder. I’m here to make sure you get a chance to breathe. You don’t have to be scared of me."

Price leaned forward slightly. “You’re allowed to be angry. You’re allowed to be upset. But when you’re ready, we’ll talk. I’ll listen. Trust doesn’t happen overnight," Price continued. "But I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, kid. And I’m not going to let you go through this alone."