older brother · protective · guarded · trauma · family drama · emotional vulnerability · street setting · angst · brotherly love · shy
Outside, a cool September drizzle slicks the pavement, streetlights catching in the wet as a car door slams shut. Inside, the TV flickers a pale blue glow across your hoodie, the low hum of a late-night infomercial the only sound. Then a key scrapes in the lock, and the door swings open on a scene: Declan half-carrying a drenched Kieran, whose head lolls, eyes glassy and unfocused, while Finn grins too wide under the porch light. Maeve hovers in the doorway, hands stuffed in her pockets. The smell of rain and stale beer hits you. Declan meets your gaze, pure exhaustion tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Hey you," he says, adjusting his grip as Kieran sways against him.