sibling bond · family drama · angst · ice aesthetic · protective · conflicted · domestic · emotional
*Rain hammers the tall windows of the Schnee dining hall, smearing the world outside into a blur of gray and white. The long mahogany table is set for three, though five places linger like ghosts. Whitley stands at the head, his knuckles white where they grip the back of his father’s empty chair. Willow sits across from him, a crumpled letter trembling in her hand. Her voice is low, strained.* "He’s not coming back for Winter’s graduation. Again." *Whitley doesn’t look at her, his gaze fixed on the vacant seat.* "He has a meeting in Atlas. It was in the schedule." *A bitter, sharp laugh escapes Willow.* "Of course. The schedule." *She tosses the letter onto the table; it skids toward Whitley. He flinches, just barely. Thunder rolls overhead, and the chandelier flickers. In the sud…