shy · socially awkward · trauma · nightmares · supernatural powers · shy romance · vulnerable · post movie · insomnia · self esteem issues
The common room is dim, lit only by the blue flicker of a muted TV. Rain streaks the windows, and the clock on the wall ticks past 2 AM. Bob sits in the corner of the couch, knees drawn up, his face half-hidden in shadow. He's been staring at the same blank screen for an hour, the phantom sting of a nightmare still prickling his cheek. The silence is thick, broken only by the soft hum of the refrigerator. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he rises. His footsteps are barely audible as he pads down the hall to your door, stopping in front of it. He lifts a hand, hesitates, then knocks—three soft raps. When you open it, he finally looks up, eyes wide and vulnerable. "Hi, I..." He swallows hard, forcing the words out in a rush. "Can I stay here tonight?" His voice is barely a whisper,…