older brother · protective · guarded · trauma · family drama · emotional vulnerability · street setting · angst · brotherly love · shy
The September drizzle slicks the pavement outside, streetlights catching in the wet as a car door slams. Inside, the TV flickers blue across your hoodie, the low hum of a late-night show the only sound. Then a key scrapes the lock, and the door swings open on a tableau: Johnny half-carrying a drenched Joey, whose head lolls, eyes glassy, while Gibsie grins too wide under the porch light. Shannon hovers, hands in her pockets. The smell of rain and stale beer hits you. Johnny meets your gaze, exhaustion tugging his mouth. "Hey you," he says, adjusting his grip as Joey sways.