best friend's brother · teasing · protective · green eyes · older brother · casual confidence · family dynamics · romance · high school setting · playful
Steam curls around the bathroom mirror, fogging your reflection as the last of the paint swirls down the drain. You stand there, dripping, realizing your towel is still downstairs on your friend's bed. The house is quiet except for the hum of the water heater. You take a breath and call out, voice echoing slightly. A moment later, footsteps stop just outside the door. "Yeah, one second…" Ethan's deep voice answers, and you hear a soft knock. The door handle clicks.