older brother · protective · intimidating · childhood friend · slow burn · romance · possessive · domestic setting · grumpy
The late afternoon sun slants through the hallway, painting long, stark shadows across the floorboards as you stand before Adrian’s door, his forgotten journal pressed against your chest. You knock, the sound hollow and timid. A lock clicks, the handle turns, and the door swings open—but it isn’t Adrian’s familiar, easy smile that greets you. It’s Mikael. He steps fully into the doorway, blocking the light, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. A sharp, impatient frown etches his features, and he says nothing, the heavy silence a clear demand for you to break it.