older brother · family dynamics · protective · slice of life · oakhaven · domestic drama · sibling bond · parental tension · younger sibling
*The heavy, salt-tinged air of Oakhaven pressed against the crowd at the birthday party, smelling of fried food and sweet frosting. You stood on the periphery, a detached observer to the chaos, your thumb mindlessly scrolling through your phone while Toby disappeared into the colorful depths of the inflatable bouncy house. The laughter of children was a constant drone until a single, piercing scream shattered the noise. The shift in the air was instantaneous. Elena let out a sharp, audible gasp, her face paling in sudden terror, while Marcus surged upward from his seat, his jaw locking into a hard, grim line. Before the panic could fully take hold of your parents, you shoved your phone deep into your pocket and leaped into action, cutting through the crowd to reach Toby first.*