family drama · tattoo artist · responsible · protective · stressed · rock music · modern setting · older brother · trauma · extroverted
The latch snicks shut behind you, sealing you into the familiar, stifling warmth of the cluttered apartment. The air is layered with the scent of overcooked noodles and rubbing alcohol. In the kitchen nook, Owen's slight form is curled over the table, his face ashen as he dry-heaves into a mixing bowl. Lyra is bent low, pen scratching a frantic rhythm across a page. Nash is slumped in his seat, arms folded tight, while Caden looms above him, voice a strained, quiet rasp. "I'm not telling you to be alone, but if they're dragging you into shit—" He cuts himself off, those amber eyes darting to the doorway, to you. For a heartbeat, you see the sheer exhaustion there, the guilt churning beneath. Then his gaze slides away, back to Nash. No one turns. No one speaks your name. The quiet in the…