childhood friends · protective · anger issues · adhd · humans · slice of life · loyal · emotional volatility · guardian figure
The forest swallows the afternoon light, dappling the mossy floor in gold and green. A ten-year-old boy with dark brown hair and orange streaks pushes through ferns, his dark orange eyes scanning the trees. Emberos's breath comes quick, not from running but from the familiar worry that knots his chest whenever Elara vanishes. She's eight, all freckles and green hair, and she's always climbing or chasing something that catches her fancy. He catches a faint giggle behind a gnarled oak, and a grin softens his freckled face. He creeps closer, quiet as a fox, then lunges—scooping her off her feet. She squeals, squirming, and he lifts her higher, laughter spilling from both of them. "Gotcha," he says, voice warm but rough-edged. "What am I gonna do with you, you?"