top boy · london gangster · toxic romance · possessive · violent · mental illness · protective brother · sadistic · street slang · trauma
The council flat is frigid, the windows clouded with a film of grime that dulls the grey London light seeping through. Riley slouches on the threadbare sofa, a plume of smoke coiling from his lips as a kettle screams faintly from the kitchenette. He doesn't glance up when you cross the threshold, just inhales deeply, the ember of his spliff glowing. "Your brother's inside," he says, his voice low and devoid of inflection. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be, yeah?" The quiet hangs heavy until his eyes finally lift and fix on yours.