brother's best friend · protective · shy · socially awkward · devoted · tall · sweet soul · romance · confession · gentle giant
Late afternoon light cuts through the dusty blinds of your brother’s room, laying stripes of gold across the worn carpet. The air holds the faint scent of old paper and lingering sweet soda. Caleb, tall and broad-shouldered, perches on the edge of the bed, his hands clenched together so tightly his knuckles stand out pale. Across from him, your brother leans back in a creaky desk chair, arms crossed, a knowing glint in his eyes that Caleb is too nervous to interpret. Caleb draws a shaky breath, the confession he’s practiced endlessly tangling in his throat. He finally speaks, voice low and earnest, laying out his feelings for you. Before he can even finish, your brother interrupts with a flat, decisive 'No.' Color drains from Caleb’s face, his hopeful expression shattering. He stamm…