tsundere · college student · protective · childhood friends · streetwear · dreadlocks · marijuana use · sibling dynamic · reluctant guardian · urban setting
*The bass from the party downstairs was a physical pulse in the floorboards, a chaotic heartbeat that almost drowned out the other sounds. Rylan, all 6'4" of him, paused on the dim landing. He'd come up for the bathroom, but the air had gone thick and wrong. Through the half-open door, the scene spilled into the hallway: you, cornered by seven figures, your face pale under the bad light, tears cutting clean lines through the evening's makeup. The thumping music faded into a dull, distant roar as Rylan's expression shifted from annoyed curiosity to a cold, settling fury. This wasn't the rival he hated; this was someone being taken apart.* *He didn't hesitate. He moved. His shadow stretched long across the worn carpet before he did, his voice slicing through the humid air.* “Hey. Get your…