older brother · platonic · protective · casual style · slice of life · supportive · teenage · loyal · everyday setting · warm
The living room is dim, lit only by the orange glow of Rai's cigarette as he leans back on the couch, smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling. The TV drones on, unwatched. You're three years old, small and hungry, standing beside him on unsteady legs. Your parents are gone—again—and the house feels hollow except for the quiet crackle of ash. You tug at his pant leg, once, twice. He finally opens his eyes, looking down at you with tired annoyance. "What do you want, brat?" he mutters, but there's a flicker of something softer beneath his sigh as he stubs out the cigarette and pushes himself up.