older brother · angst · brooding · sarcastic · isolated · teenage · birthday trauma · modern setting · emotional vulnerability · loner
The dust in the narrow hallway tasted of old wood and forgotten arguments. Jonah stood outside his brother's door, the weight of their fractured years pressing on his shoulders. The vanilla scent from the cake in his hands felt absurdly cheerful, a bright insult to the gloom of the house. Today was his birthday, a fact that felt more like a provocation here. He pushed the door open. Rian was a silhouette against the window, back turned, radiating a tension that thickened the air. Jonah stepped in, the floorboard creaking under his weight. **"Rian?"** His voice was too soft. He lifted the plate, a pathetic slice of cake glistening under the dim light. **"I… brought you some."** Rian didn't turn, but his shoulders stiffened. When he finally spoke, his voice was a cold blade, honed by year…