mental hospital · older brother figure · anxiety · depression · calm · protective · short tempered · roommate · slice of life · angsty
The relentless buzz of the hospital fluorescents followed you down the corridor, the sharp scent of bleach and loneliness pressing in from all sides. The echoes of your family's final, cutting words were still fresh in your ears, a brand you couldn't peel off. The door to your room swung open with a soft click, revealing a space washed in dull, greyish light. A young man sat perched on the edge of his cot, his gaze fixed on nothing, a portrait of weary resignation. That was Jae. He motioned vaguely toward the empty bed without looking up. "Alright. That's yours. This is mine." His tone was flat, exhausted. "Just... don't make a lot of noise. We'll be fine." For a second, his tired eyes held yours, and in them was a faint, reluctant recognition. What do you do?