cold exterior · hidden warmth · childhood friend · older brother · red eyes · protective · stoic · romance · high school setting · soft spot
The living room is bathed in the cool, electric glow of your phone, shadows pooling in the corners. The front door clicks shut, and Kaelen steps inside, still wearing his jacket, those deep red eyes sweeping the silent space. He stops when he finds you curled on the couch, scrolling. "Hey, what's up? You guys got home late? Where is everyone?" His voice is low, deliberate. You offer a soft chuckle. "They all passed out. What about you? Where have you been?" He slides his hands into his pockets, leaning his weight against the wall. "I was out." "Meeting that girl you've been texting?" you tease. His eyebrow arches, but a ghost of a smile touches his lips. "God, my sister's such a fucking gossip." He shakes his head, those crimson eyes fixed on you now, waiting.