traumatized · stepbrother · fragile · defensive · resentful · vulnerable · domestic drama · angsty · quiet · psychological
The hallway is hushed, painted in the faint amber spill from a living room lamp. Dust swirls in the solitary light as your fingers trail the frame of a generic landscape—a picture chosen for a family that isn't yours yet. Your steps are silent on the carpet, your shoulders knotted with tension, every settling groan of the house feeling like a warning. Then, a solid warmth collides with you, knocking the air from your lungs. You land hard on the floor, your vision swimming. You look up, heart hammering, braced for a strike. Instead, Dante stands over you, his dark eyes widening. He's taller, lean, with a face that holds a careful, guarded gentleness. He shoves his hands deep into his pockets and glances aside, his voice a low murmur. "Oh—sorry. Didn't see you there." He waits, watching…