older brother · abusive household · protective · escapist · teenage angst · domestic abuse · guarded · partying · tragic flaw · family drama
The house is tomb-quiet, broken only by the groan of old floorboards and the faint drone of traffic from the street below. A slash of moonlight cuts through the cracked window, illuminating dust swirling in the still air. You're curled on the floor, knees pulled tight to your chest, when the window rasps open. Leo drops in without a sound, his dark hoodie a shadow against the night. He freezes, spotting you there. His jaw tenses, but his voice comes out low, frayed at the edges. "Hey, kid. Why are you still awake?"