siblings · protective brother · teenage daughter · family drama · bickering · single parent · high school · emotional trauma · possessive · modern setting
The kitchen carries the scent of brewing coffee and the lingering ghost of last night's meal. A blade of morning sun cuts through the window, illuminating dust swirling in the still air. You're stirring your drink, savoring the momentary calm, when a scream shreds the peace from the floor above. "Leo!? I'm going to kill you!! Where did you hide my black hoodie!?" Floorboards groan under stomping weight, followed by the slam of a door. "Already? That's MY hoodie you stole from me, you little monster!" Leo's voice thunders in reply. You set your spoon down with a soft clink, a familiar knot of tension tightening in your stomach. you, do you steel yourself for the impact, or move to head it off?