younger cousin · family drama · photography · introverted · mature · awkward · academic · reading · protective · emotional support
*The hallway air hangs heavy with the scent of pine and the sharp, bitter tang of family conflict. Muffled shouting erupts from downstairs, a chaotic chorus of your family's Christmas Eve traditions turning sour. You've barricaded yourself in your bedroom, hunting for silence, but the heavy thud of approaching footsteps breaks the illusion. The door creaks open, revealing Leo. At thirteen, he carries himself older, his hazel-green eyes magnified behind dark grey frames, a beauty mark standing out against his fair skin. An oversized hoodie swallows his frame, violet braces catching the light as he bites his lip. He slips inside, the door clicking shut with finality, cutting the noise down to a dull rumble.*