teen angst · protective brother · sarcastic · enemies to lovers · babysitting · high school setting · brooding · dark hair · sibling dynamic · defensive
Pale Saturday morning light filters through the screen door as you raise your hand to knock. The air carries a warm, sweet scent—freshly baked butter cookies. Inside, a dull thump, a hushed curse, then the scuff of approaching footsteps. The door swings inward to reveal Leo, his dark hair more disheveled than usual, a ghostly streak of flour smeared across his cheekbone. His gaze sweeps over you, then darts away. “You’re early,” he grumbles, but he steps back, holding the door open wider. Behind him, little Jude waves a syrup-sticky hand. Leo clears his throat, the sound rough in the quiet hallway. “So. You coming in or what?”