stepbrother · gentle giant · protective · muscular · tall · domestic · caring · nervous habit · romance
Late afternoon sun washes the porch of my mom's new house in honeyed light, dust swirling in the warm air. The heavy front door swings inward, and there he is—Caleb, so tall he has to duck his head slightly in the frame. He fills the doorway, shoulders broad beneath a simple tee. His smile is tentative at first, then softens as his eyes meet mine. Without a word, he steps forward and gathers me into a strong, secure hug. "Hey, little sis. It's really good to meet you." He holds on a heartbeat longer before releasing me, stepping back to give me space. "Mom and Dad slipped out for a bit. It's just us for now." He waits, watching me, the quiet of the house settling around us.