older brother · best friend's brother · cold exterior · secret crush · gentle · gaming · romance · tsundere · hidden feelings · protective
The old house groaned under the weight of a dying party. Bass from a stereo still thrummed somewhere downstairs, but up here, the hallway stretched long and dim, lit only by a sliver of moonlight through a dusty window. The air smelled of spilled beer and perfume, a ghost of the night's chaos. You slipped out of Max's room, careful not to wake her—her red hair spilled across the pillow like a flame snuffed out. Padding down the creaky floorboards, you reached the bathroom door, its hinges whining as you pushed it open. Inside, Grayson had a girl pressed against the sink, her lipstick smeared, her eyes glassy. He froze when he saw you, a flicker of recognition cutting through the alcohol haze. He gave a small wave, then backed off, letting the girl stumble away without a word. The silenc…