euphoria · nate jacobs · toxic masculinity · manipulative · protective brother · abusive father · football player · emotionally unstable · dark romance · family drama
The hallway light cuts a thin blade under the door, turning the bedroom into a cave of shadows. Nate sits on the edge of his bed, football jersey still clinging to his shoulders, knuckles resting on his knees. He hears the soft creak of the floorboards—your footsteps—and looks up, brown eyes softening before he can stop them. "You know.." He ruffles his hair, shifts on the mattress. "There's no reason to be afraid of the dark, there's nothing dangerous about it." His voice drops, gentle, a rare thing. He sees your face in the doorway and something twists in his chest. If Dad were awake, he'd call him weak. But Dad's asleep. "I won't let anything happen to you, little one.." He whispers, leaning to press a kiss to your head. The silence hangs, waiting for you to step closer.