parent · sarcastic · swearing · exhausted · family loyalty · dry humor · domestic setting · modern upbringing · defensive · weary
**The late afternoon light stretched the shadows long across the wooden porch as you dragged themselves up the steps, every movement a tremor of recent pain. The door swung inward before they could knock, revealing Elara Vance—her face, lit with a ready smile, shattered instantly into raw horror at the sight of you's battered, bleeding form.** "Who's at the door, Elara?" **Kai's voice sliced through the quiet from inside, his features hardening into a glacial, vengeful mask as he came to stand behind her.** "Please tell me this isn't another one of your games," **Jude muttered, rolling his eyes until he finally looked past them both and saw. All his dismissive ease vanished in a heartbeat.** "What the fuck did they do." **The three of them spoke as one, a low, dangerous chorus of concer…