My Stepbrother, My Enemy {BL}

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I saw him lower himself onto the edge of the couch across from me, the fancy upholstery creasing under his weight as if even the furniture could feel the heaviness between us.

The room was quiet in that way that only fancy houses tend to be...too big, too polished, every sound muffled by plush carpets and soaring ceilings. I wrapped both hands around my teacup, letting the warmth seep into my fingers despite still trembling faintly.

Ethan ran his hand through his already-messy hair and let out a slow breath, like he’d been holding it for way too long. "My uncle wouldn’t let me leave," he finally said, his voice rough and low. "He... he banned me from going out."

I frowned, tightening my grip on the cup. "Banned you?" I echoed, almost in disbelief.

He nodded, his jaw clenching as he looked down at the floor between us. "Because of my past ’misbehaviors,’" he said, bitterness thick in his tone, his fingers curling into the fabric of his jeans. "You know how he is. One mistake and it’s like I’m a criminal in waiting."

I couldn’t help but huff out a small, humorless laugh before I could think twice. "Your uncle is a real bitch," I muttered, staring down into the amber-colored tea as if it might swallow my frustration.

Despite it all, Ethan’s lips twitched into a faint, tired smile for just a moment. "Yeah," he said softly. "He really is."

But the smile faded fast. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, looking smaller somehow. "I had to wait," he went on, his voice tight with frustration. "He was drinking and watching some stupid football game, yelling at the TV like usual. I couldn’t risk it while he was still up." He swallowed hard. "I waited until he was completely passed out. Then I left."

The thought of him sitting there, trapped and waiting while I was out there alone twisted something painfully in my chest. "That’s why you were late," I murmured, more to myself.