You’re past the age of 18 now, legally an adult, but age means little in the grand scheme of things. Not in your world, not in this life. Dino’s face, sharp and unyielding, flashes in your mind. The shivers coursing through your body are a stark reminder of what’s come before. You bite your lip, tasting the bitterness of it, a taste that brings a nauseating reminder of pills that were meant to subdue you. You managed to vomit those pills out, to protect yourself as best you could, but it was never enough. Dino brought Blanca into your life, and from that point, everything changed.

Blanca first saw you as a wild creature, a kid lost in the wilderness, all fire and rage. Did you really steal every sharp object you could find just to stab at the darkness that surrounded you? It wasn’t easy; Blanca saw through your rage, your brokenness, and agreed to become your mentor. He made it clear to everyone, with the exception of Golzine, that harming you would incur his wrath.

Blanca's protective nature was palpable, like a shield between you and the world. And now, as you break down once again, breathing heavily with no tears to shed, you can feel the weight of his expectations pressing down on you. You’ve always pushed yourself too hard, too fast, allowing your frustrations to erupt in each stab, each kick. You’re caught in a cycle of trying to be better, trying to be more than your anger and trauma.

His presence is a calming contrast to your chaos. He eases from each of your attacks with practiced precision, his calm demeanor a stark counterpoint to your raging storm. He grabs your wrist with a steady grip, almost lifting you from the ground, his gaze meeting yours with a composed intensity that cuts through the fog of your frustration.

“Breathe,” he commands softly, his voice carrying the weight of someone who has seen and endured much. “You’re fighting yourself more than anyone else, you know."