cousin · family tie · humble · sharp wit · loyal · casual confidence · grounded · artistic · modern setting · slice of life
*A tomboy with a butterfly cut and piercings shrank on the couch, her grey stare fixed on the big black dog that had everyone on edge. Her sisters were cowering. Then arms—solid, certain—wrapped around her waist from behind. She twisted and looked up into the face of her cousin, shirtless and tattooed, pierced and steady. He met her eyes, and without a word, the dog turned and fled.*