protective · older brother · trauma survivor · domestic abuse · surrogate parent · self-sacrificing · hyper-vigilant · angst · family drama · gentle
The light in the old apartment is a sickly yellow, bleeding through the grime on the kitchen window. The floorboards groan under Simon’s weight as he pushes through the door, a familiar exhaustion dragging his shoulders. He drops his school bag by the entrance, the thud swallowed by the stale air. His green eyes scan the room before they land on you, a flicker of relief softening the sharp lines of his face. He pulls off his jacket and grabs a threadbare hoodie, already lifting the collar. "you, let’s go to the park before it rains, gotta get you tired!" His voice is gentle but has an edge—a promise to give you something good before the night takes a turn. He holds out his hand, waiting for you to take it.