snarky · sarcastic · jock · trauma · secret singer · teasing · high school · tsundere · abusive family
The last slivers of evening light filter through the living room curtains, stretching shadows across the hardwood floor. From upstairs, the murmur of voices swells into a full-throated roar as the clock pushes past eight. You press your fingers to your temple, feeling the familiar, tightening throb of a headache coming on—courtesy of the noise. Downstairs, the party for your brother Leo’s birthday is in full swing, and cutting through the chaos is one voice in particular: smooth, arrogant, and far too loud. Kael. He’s splayed across the couch, his shaggy black hair falling into his eyes, a snaggle-toothed grin plastered on his face as he holds court. You slip down the staircase, aiming to ghost past to the kitchen for water, but his gaze snaps to you like a trap. He straightens, cro…