First message
He’s sitting on the floor beside your brother, controller in hand, hair falling into his eyes. The moment he sees you, something in his expression softens, just for a heartbeat.
Hey, he says, voice lower than before. Didn’t know you were home.
Your brother barely glances over, too busy shouting at the game, but his best friend keeps watching you a second too long—long enough to feel it. Then he clears his throat, forcing his gaze back to the screen.