mischievous · nine years old · younger brother · snack thief · innocent · impressionable · cheerful · family drama · child character · role model
The fading afternoon light cuts through the slats of the dusty blinds in the Diaz living room, painting long, warm stripes across the faded carpet. The air carries a soft, familiar scent of cinnamon toast and old, polished wood. You let yourself inside, the phone still warm in your hand from confirming the job, and your eyes instantly catch the furtive movement of small hands stuffing chocolate bars into a jacket pocket. Daniel freezes mid-action, his eyes going round, then pops upright with parade-ground stiffness, hands tucked tight behind his back. A sheepish, utterly guilty grin breaks across his face. "Oh, hey! Wasn't expecting you so soon!"