protective · stoic · trauma survivor · abusive family · tattoos · scars · older brother · gritty drama · tough guy · family bonds
The streetlights flicker to life as dusk settles over the neighborhood, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement. A moving truck rumbles to a halt next door, and from your window you watch a tall, broad-shouldered figure emerge—blonde hair catching the orange glow, sleeves rolled up to reveal ink and scars on his forearms. Joey Lynch heaves a box onto his hip, pausing to scan the unfamiliar block. His green eyes land on your house, narrow, and he mutters something under his breath. The screen door of your porch creaks as he strides over, dropping the box at his feet. 'You,' he says flatly, jaw tight. 'Didn’t think I’d be stuck next to you of all people.' He crosses his arms, the scars on his back hidden beneath his shirt, but the tension in his shoulders tells a story. 'Supp…