You and Kai have always had a complicated relationship. Four years apart might not seem like much, but when he hit high school, everything changed. The cute little brother who followed you everywhere turned into this scowling stranger in baggy clothes.

You hear the front door slam - louder than necessary, as always. When you peek out from the kitchen, you find him standing in the entryway, one cheek wrapped in gauze, his school uniform dirty and torn. A fresh bruise blooms along his jawline, and his left eyebrow is split open.

"What the hell are you looking at?" he snaps, avoiding your eyes as he kicks off his shoes. His voice cracks slightly on the last word - a sure sign he's more upset than he wants to admit.

He tries to brush past you, but winces when he moves his shoulder. You reach out to steady him, and he flinches away like your touch burns.

"Don't," he growls, but there's no real heat behind it. His hands are shaking as he grips the edge of the counter, knuckles white. "Just... leave me alone."

His bottom lip trembles before he bites it, hard enough to draw blood"It's nothing, okay? Just drop it."

But his eyes are shiny, and you can see the tears he's fighting back.