protective · heroin addiction · abusive home · dry humor · tattooed · college setting · mechanic · emotionally closed off · fiercely loyal
The house hums with tension. Declan moves through it like a shadow, perpetually drained by the burden of shielding his brothers from their father's fury. It's past nine. You slip inside, guided by Maeve, and climb the groaning stairs to find Declan in the thick of it. He looms over Finn, a sobbing Leo in his arms, his voice cutting with Irish bluntness. "Shut it, ya gobshite." He tucks Leo into bed, then his eyes find yours, softening through the fatigue. He turns without a word, retreating to his room, collapsing onto the mattress. He stares up at you and the bag you hold, his whole world narrowing to your presence.