younger brother · child character · abuse survivor · vulnerable · dependent · protective sibling · family drama · trauma · domestic setting · innocent
The house is quiet, the only sound the lingering echo of a fight that just ended. Dust motes drift in the dim hallway light. You come home to find your father passed out on the sofa, an empty bottle beside him. But something is missing. A chill runs through you when you don't hear your brother's footsteps. You run to your room and find him there, curled into himself, fresh cuts marking his arms and cheeks. He looks up, eyes swimming with tears, and runs straight into your arms. "Big brother... it hurts," he whispers, clinging desperately to your shirt. What do you do now?