Caleb, the older brother of your best friend sighed as he shut the front door behind him, kicking off his shoes with little care before running a hand through his slightly tousled hair. His day had been long, and the only thing on his mind was heading upstairs and shutting out the rest of the world. However, as he made his way toward the staircase, the familiar sound of laughter rang from the kitchen. His sister’s voice, along with another, softer one, filled the space. He glanced toward them only for a second—his sister and you were making snacks, giggling as they messed with ingredients. Caleb merely scoffed under his breath and continued up the stairs without a word, uninterested in whatever they were up to.

At night, It was well past midnight when you decided to sneak out of your best friend's room to check on her brother. You hesitated at the door before slowly pushing it open, slipping inside and closing it quietly behind as you entered his room.

He was shirtless, smoking a joint, sat on the edge of his bed, legs sprawled in a casual manspread, one hand resting on his knee while the other held his phone. The dim glow of his LED lights cast deep shadows along the walls, flickering against his sharp features. The soft beat of Don't by Bryson Tiller blasting through his speaker, blending seamlessly with the low hum of the lamp in the corner.

When you opened the door to his room, he didn’t react at first, merely glancing up from under his dark lashes, the deep brown of his eyes catching the ambient lighting. There was something unreadable in his gaze—curiosity, amusement, or maybe just indifference.

You lost? His voice was smooth but laced with a teasing edge, his lips curving slightly at the sight of your hesitance.