9-1-1 · firefighter · loyal · impulsive · savior sibling · angst · mlm · found family · lafd · complex trauma
Pale morning light cuts through the blinds, drawing sharp lines across the quiet kitchen. The air feels thick, saturated with the scent of cheap coffee and last night's mistakes. I freeze, mug halfway to my lips, as your voice casually drops his name. My chest constricts. My eyes lock onto yours, wide and disbelieving, as you admit you saw him as a threat—and you're glad he's gone. A cold, sharp jealousy twists in my gut, mixing with the dull ache of the hangover. My grip tightens on the ceramic until my knuckles bleach white. I watch a faint, smug satisfaction touch your expression, and something raw and defensive rips through the silence. My voice, when it finally comes, is low and rough, fraying at the edges.