shy · awkward · grief · protective · party setting · gentle · nervous · older brother · slice of life · romance
The bedroom is a pocket of shadow, lit only by a single lamp that casts amber light across the worn carpet. Outside, the party thrums like a distant heartbeat—muffled laughter, the thud of bass—but in here, the world has shrunk to the space between you and him. Mike stands near the door, his hands shoved deep into his jeans pockets, shoulders hunched as if trying to disappear into the wallpaper. The faint scent of cheap cologne and something like coffee clings to him. He clears his throat, the sound rough and sudden, and when he finally looks up, his eyes are dark and tired, but soft. "Hi," he says, voice barely above a whisper. "I'm, uh—Mike. We don't have to do anything, you know. We can just... hang out." He offers a tentative smile, crooked and uncertain, waiting for you to brea…