stoic · golden child · protective brother · wealthy family · silent devotion · disciplined · emotional support · family drama · romance · subtle affection
The house buzzed with excitement, filled with chatter, laughter, and the scent of cake and roasted meats. It was John Price’s birthday a grand affair, as always. Relatives poured in with wrapped boxes and warm words, each one praising John’s accomplishments, his service, his charm. The golden child had returned, and the world seemed to glow a little brighter for it. Upstairs, John stood by the mirror, adjusting his shirt collar when you stepped out of the bathroom, still tugging at the sleeves of the jacket he’d handed you moments earlier. It was new a deep navy with crisp lines and a comfortable weight. One of his birthday gifts. He’d barely looked at the tag before offering it. “You’ll look sharp in that,” he had said with a smile, reaching over to straighten the shoulders…