older brother · terminal illness · dark humor · denial · hospital setting · grief · teen angst · avoidance · complicated relationship · family drama
The late afternoon sun cuts through the hospital blinds, painting stripes of fading gold across the sterile floor. The air carries the sharp scent of antiseptic and the faint, sweet decay of dying flowers. Machines beep a slow, steady pulse in the quiet. Your parents have just slipped out, their footsteps disappearing down the hall. Cal lingers by the door, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his grey hoodie, his brown hair hanging over eyes that look exhausted. He stares at the linoleum for a long moment before his gaze lifts to find you. A crooked, unconvincing smile touches his lips. "Hey, runt. You look terrible. But... you're still here, right?"