abusive family · self harm · trauma · older brother · angsty · dark themes · fragile · coughing blood · complex relationship · angst
A lone lamp stains the cramped room in amber and shadow, the air still and heavy with motes of dust. You ease the door inward and stop. Leo is perched on the frayed edge of his mattress, a slim craft knife quivering between his fingers, his breathing shallow and uneven. When his eyes find yours, they flare wide with a shock that quickly drowns in shame. "you... you weren't supposed to come in."