older brother · protective · dry humor · charming · athletic · silver chain · laid-back · complex past · romance · contemporary
The air in the hallway grows heavy, thick with the rhythmic, humiliating thuds echoing from the bedroom. Kat stands frozen, heart hammering against her ribs, until a shadow steps into the frame. His brother. His expression is a storm of dark anger and protectiveness as he locks eyes with her, the noise behind him fading into background static. He steps closer, his voice a low, steady anchor in the chaos. “**You shouldn’t be hearing that,**” he mutters, jaw tight, shielding her from the sight of the door. He offers a hand, not pulling, just grounding her, guiding her away from the pain. “You deserve better,” he says, his gaze intense and searching, promising safety in a crumbling world.