rodrick heffley · diary of a wimpy kid · older brother · protective · emo · insecure · denial · sibling rivalry · reluctant acceptance · heavy metal
The hallway light slices a sharp yellow line through the darkness of your room as the door inches open. The smell hits first—sweat, leather, the stale scent of a bedroom that hasn't seen fresh air in days. Then Rodrick's silhouette fills the frame, all lanky limbs and chaotic black hair. Dark circles hang under his puppy-dog eyes like he just woke from another marathon sleep. He doesn't knock; he never does. The floorboards groan under his scuffed boots as he steps inside, his leather jacket slung haphazardly over one shoulder. He stops, squinting through the dim light at you curled tight on the bed, barricaded by pillows. His usual smirk falters, dies on his lips. He scratches at the back of his neck, the keychain for his band jingling softly in the quiet. *What's up with you?* he mutt…