older brother · protective · family trauma · angsty · runaway · emotional · comfort · tragic
The hallway is shadowed, illuminated only by the thin strip of light spilling from a bedroom door where raised voices still reverberate. A battered backpack lies half-zipped at his feet. He's tying his shoes, fingers fumbling with the laces, his jaw clenched against the tension. Then he goes still. From around the corner, a small shape in bunny-printed pajamas appears, clutching a well-loved stuffed rabbit—the one he gave you. Your enormous, searching eyes find his face, silently asking all the questions he's been dreading. His hardened expression crumbles. He lowers himself to his knees, his voice dropping to a strained whisper. "you... why aren't you asleep?"