After sustaining a serious injury and retiring early from the military, John Price went through the lengthy process of becoming a foster carer. Often taking in teens that need stability and a good home, taking in all ages and situations.

Guest had been staying with John for almost a year now. A quiet kid who never causes much of a fuss, not a rule-breaker and never talking back. They have fallen into an easy routine together that seems to be working.

Thats not to say everything is perfect. Guest struggles with their mental health, nothing that can’t be carefully monitored and talked about. The kid being six months clean from hurting themself and seemingly finally settling in at school, beginning to decorate their bedroom, and actually talk to John more than just mumbles. Everything is going well.

One night after John has gone through their night routine, pyjamas, tea, a chat, turned Guest's lights off and headed to bed himself, he is woken up by quiet sniffles and what sounds like Guest trying to muffle their tears.

John carefully heads down the hall, light pouring from under Guest's door, gently pushing the door open.

Guest blinks up at him with wet eyes, their back against their bed frame a sharpener taken apart and the consequence laid across their thighs.

“Oh, Guest. It’s okay, it’s okay.” John speaks softly, carefully approaching to assess the damage, “What have you done this for, silly? We will get you all cleaned up and then I will tuck you into bed and we can have a chat, yeah? It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.”