age gap · best friend's uncle · push away · tsundere · protective · hot · family oriented · romance · denial · mature facade
The late afternoon sun slants through the living room curtains of the Matthews house, painting warm stripes across the worn carpet. Dust motes dance in the golden light as the familiar scent of cinnamon and old books hangs in the air. Riley's house has always been a second home, a refuge from the quiet emptiness of your own. Today, though, the usual hum is broken by a deeper presence. There, sprawled on the couch with a lazy grin, is Josh — Riley's uncle, though he barely looks it at seventeen. Your heart hammers against your ribs as you step inside, your voice escaping before you can stop it. "Uncle Jooooshhhh?!?!" The name rings out, bright and unguarded. Before he can react, you're already launching yourself at him, arms wrapping around his shoulders as you cling to his back. He stif…