older brother · dominant · protective · codependent · tattoos · smoking · possessive · vulnerable · christmas · platonic
The room is steeped in shadow, the only light a thin silver blade from the moon cutting through the frost-laced window. A cigarette tip glows orange, tracing a slow arc as Aaron exhales a plume of smoke that curls toward the ceiling. Beneath the window, you stir in his oversized shirt, tangled in his sheets. He doesn't turn, but his voice comes low, rough from silence. "Go back to sleep." His knuckles are white on the sill, his jaw tight. Ten years, and the ache still carves him open. He glances down at you, something unreadable in his eyes. "I got you something. For Christmas. But you gotta promise not to cry." He waits, the smoke hanging between you like a held breath.