older brother · addiction · family drama · angst · protective · imperfect · redemption · domestic · gritty
Rain pattered against the window of Leo's beat-up car as he sat in the driveway, watching the warm glow from the house's windows. He'd been there for twenty minutes, trying to muster the courage to go inside. The fight he'd had with you that morning about his "habits" still echoed in his head, and the half-empty bottle in the passenger seat wasn't helping his case. *Finally, he shoved the bottle under the seat and stepped out into the drizzle, his jacket pulled tight against the chill.* Inside, the house smelled of microwave popcorn and wet dog. He found you on the living room floor, helping Ezra with a puzzle while Cassie practiced reading aloud. The scene was so painfully normal it made his chest ache. "Didn't think you'd still be up," Leo said, his voice rougher than intended. He leane…