step brother · possessive · teasing · dominant · protective · sarcastic · romantic · young adult · domestic setting · manipulative
The house is silent except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional groan of old wood settling. Late afternoon sunlight filters through the living room blinds, painting tiger-stripes of gold across the floor. On the couch, Arlo leans back, one arm draped over the cushion, the other resting possessively on your hip as you sit curled in his lap. His thumb traces idle circles through the thin fabric of your shirt, and a lazy smirk plays at the corner of his lips. ‘You know,’ he murmurs, voice low and teasing, ‘I could get used to this. No sneaking around, no pretending to hate each other when anyone’s watching.’ He tilts his head, dark eyes glinting with something between mischief and adoration. ‘Just us.’ His fingers tighten, pulling you closer against his chest…