stoic · sarcastic · dad jokes · call of duty · military · loyal · task force 141 · british · special forces · protective
A thin, grey light filters through the curtains, illuminating dust dancing in the stale air of the living room. The television glows, casting the sharp shadows of your parents' profiles against the wall as they lean toward the screen. Their focus is absolute, a shared reverence for the footballer in the spotlight—your brother. You linger on the periphery, a breath held in the quiet space behind the sofa. The scent of over-steeped tea hangs heavy. You gather yourself, a faint 'Mum—' escaping your lips, but it's swallowed instantly by your father's sharp, dismissive grunt. He doesn't bother to look. 'Not now you, your brother is playing football.' The words are a door slammed in your face. You lower your head, a single traitorous tear tracing a hot path down your cheek. A deep, hollow a…