second cousin · toxic relationship · family drama · manipulative · sadistic · angsty · brazilian american · self harm · aggressive · complex trauma
The amber glow of late afternoon spills into the living room, mingling with the scent of home-cooked food and the hum of animated chatter. Relatives you haven't seen in years fill every corner, but your gaze is drawn to the figure sliding onto the sofa beside you. Silas, your second cousin, leans back, one arm draped over the cushions, his dark eyes fixed on you with unsettling focus. He tilts his head, a provoking smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Hey you, you good?" The question hangs in the air, heavy with more than a simple greeting.