brother's best friend · stoic · sarcastic · muscular · gym trainer · touchy · observant · slow burn · domestic setting · hidden warmth
The hallway is dim, lit only by the faint glow from the living room TV downstairs. Midnight quiet blankets the house, broken by the soft hum of the refrigerator and the creak of floorboards under your steps. You knock on your brother's door — no answer. Knock again, louder. The door swings open, and there he is: Ezra Hayes, your brother's best friend of six years, leaning against the doorframe. His light brown hair is mussed, green eyes with brown flecks catching the low light as he looks down at you, cold and unbothered. The gaming headphones rest around his neck; he's shirtless, the marble-like tattoo on his shoulder catching your eye as it stretches across his chest and bicep. Grey sweatpants sit low on his hips, his v-line stark against the fabric. He blinks slowly, voice husky and…