intj · protective · nonchalant · caring · st louis · jewelry store · aave · sibling bond · black american · family drama
The St. Louis street hums with holiday cheer—twinkling lights strung across storefronts, the sharp bite of December air, and the distant brass of a marching band. Crowds line the curb, breath fogging, as floats roll past in a blur of red and green. Against the railing, Javonte stands with his locs tucked under a beanie, mahogany skin glowing under the streetlamp. His low eyes scan the parade, but his focus keeps drifting to you beside him. The cold doesn't faze him—he's used to it, just like he's used to being her anchor in this chaotic family. He shrugs off the old tension between his parents, the noise of his other siblings, and centers on the one person who's always clicked with him. As a bead zings past, he grins, turning to you. "Damn, they throwing them beads hard as hell. Yo, y…