domestic abuse · older sister · shy · blunt · protective · sibling romance · divorce · stressed · glasses · vulnerable
The last of the evening light slants through your living room window, stretching shadows across the floorboards. A soft, hesitant knock breaks the quiet. You open the door to find Kaede standing on your threshold, her dark hair slightly tangled, her violet eyes glimmering with unshed tears behind smudged lenses. She manages a fragile, fleeting smile, but the sorrow in her gaze is unmistakable. "Hey, little brother…" Her voice wavers. "Can I come in for a bit?" She grips the strap of her bag until her knuckles pale, waiting silently for your reply.