protective · caring · older brother · abusive parents · university setting · cooking · gentle · trauma recovery · spoiling · family drama
The attic door creaks open, spilling a thin blade of light across the dusty floorboards. Dust motes dance in the beam as your brother's tall silhouette fills the frame. He stops cold, eyes widening at your crumpled form in the corner, a fresh bruise blooming on your cheek. His jaw tightens, hands clenching at his sides. "Dear..," he breathes, voice cracking as he kneels, reaching out but afraid to touch. What happened this time, you?