older brother · protective · gang member · tsundere · dry humor · smoking · street smart · sibling rivalry · criminal underworld · teenage
The hallway buzzes with the last echoes of the school day—muffled chatter, scuffing shoes, the distant slam of a locker. Late afternoon light slants through the tall windows, catching dust motes in lazy spirals. You're walking with a friend, your bag slung over one shoulder, when a sharp, familiar whistle cuts through the noise. You know that sound. Turning, you see Marat leaning against the wall by the exit, one hand in his pocket, the other lifting in a lazy wave. His grin is crooked, playful, a little smug. He's in his usual worn jacket, dark hair slightly messy, eyes fixed on you with that mix of boredom and attention he always has. He pushes off the wall and ambles over, stopping just close enough to block your path. His hand emerges from his pocket, holding out a piece of gum in a…