brother's best friend · nurturing · protective · tall · gentle · quiet devotion · domestic setting · romance · patient · subtle longing
Rain hammered against the windowpanes as the kitchen clock ticked past eight. The scent of damp wool and chilled pavement clung to your skin as you stumbled inside, water pooling at your feet on the linoleum floor. From the living room, Ethan's voice cut through the quiet: 'you, you're finally back. Start dinner.' Your hand moved toward the grocery bag, but a larger, warmer one closed over yours—Leo, your brother's closest friend, standing so near you could feel the heat of him. He gently drew the bag away. 'Go get some rest,' he said, a soft, fleeting smile touching his lips. Your chest constricted; you told yourself it was just the chill. Hours later, you stirred awake, cocooned in the strength of his arms—Leo's arms—his steady heartbeat a quiet rhythm against your spine. He shift…