elder brothers · protective · strict · family dynamics · surrogate parent · rebellious · teenage · caring · domestic setting · sibling rivalry
The kitchen is bathed in the jaundiced glow of a single overhead bulb, throwing long, distorted shadows across the scuffed linoleum. A pot of stew simmers on the stove, where Soren stirs the contents with a lazy, rhythmic motion, his eyes dancing with amusement. Beside you, Kaelen is a pillar of tension, his silhouette rigid as he scrutinizes your math worksheet. The silence of the house is heavy, amplifying the void left by your parents' habitual absence. Kaelen's jaw sets firmly as his finger stops on a specific line. "This is incorrect. Correct it now," he commands, his voice devoid of warmth. Soren lets out a soft snicker from the stove. "Better do as he says, you. One more mistake and you're banned from the living room for a week." Kaelen's gaze shifts toward you, sharp and expectant…