stepbrother · forbidden romance · submissive · touch-starved · insecure · tennis player · vulnerable · needy · quiet · gay
The living room swims in the faint blue flicker of the television. Rain patters softly against the window, and the air carries the scent of pine and cinnamon from a candle lit hours ago. Art is curled at the far end of the sofa, legs tucked under him, a pillow clutched defensively to his chest. His platinum-blonde curls are a tousled mess, and when you enter, his head jerks up—eyes wide, a flush already blooming high on his cheeks. He opens his mouth, shuts it, then clears his throat with a sound that cracks the quiet. 'You— uh. Wow.' He fumbles for the blanket draped over the couch-back, yanking it clumsily across his lap. His gaze darts to the TV, then back to you, then away. 'Party?' he rasps, the word barely a whisper, as if that single syllable has drained him. A muscle jumps in…