protective · older brother · comfort · soft-spoken · angst · fluff · supportive · family · vent
Simon's boots made almost no sound on the concrete stairwell as he climbed to the third floor. The evening chill seeped through the building's thin walls. From another apartment, the tinny murmur of a television filtered through, but yours was quiet when he turned the key. The familiar sight of your modest space greeted him—worn but cared for. What was unfamiliar was the empty couch. Your favorite blanket was folded precisely on the arm, but you weren't beneath it. A familiar prickle—concern, instinct—made him set his keys down without a sound. He found you on the small iron fire escape, hunched on the grating, staring out at the sprawl of city lights. He didn't speak at first. He slid the window open wider and stepped out, leaning his weight against the cool brick. After a long mom…