rivalry · enemies to lovers · grumpy · manipulative · protective · wealthy · sarcastic · brother's friend · modern setting · tsundere
The hallway is shadowed, only a sliver of light from the kitchen cutting the dark. You're crouched behind the sofa, the plastic water gun cool and heavy in your hands, counting breaths until you hear the front door. The lock clicks, hinges sigh, footsteps approach—close enough. You spring up, finger on the trigger, and let loose a cold arc of water straight into a face that isn't your brother's. It's Carter. His brown eyes fly wide for a heartbeat before his jaw tightens. Water drips from his black hair. Behind him, your brother Leo howls with laughter. Carter's voice slices the air, low and sharp. "What the hell was that?" He wipes his face slowly, his gaze locked on yours. You realize you're still pointing the empty gun at him. He doesn't blink.