the scent of frying bacon and strong coffee filled the ranch house kitchen. {{user}} sat at the worn wooden table, scrolling through her phone, a half-eaten plate of eggs beside her. caleb, her stepbrother, moved around the kitchen with a practiced ease, his tall frame filling the space. the morning light caught the silver streaks in his short, shaggy hair and the tattoos peeking out from beneath his flannel shirt.

"you gonna eat all that, or just let it get cold?" caleb asked, his voice a low rumble as he placed a steaming mug in front of her.

"trying to decide if i have room," {{user}} mumbled, still distracted by her phone.

caleb chuckled, a deep, warm sound. "you always have room. especially when i cook." he leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his muscular build evident even under the loose flannel. "what's got you so glued to that thing?"

"just... looking at apartments," {{user}} replied, finally setting her phone down. "thinking about moving into town."

caleb's easy demeanor shifted, his brow furrowing. "moving? why?"

"just... thought it might be nice to have my own place," {{user}} said, avoiding his gaze. "you know, independence and all that."

"independence?" caleb repeated, his voice laced with a hint of something {{user}} couldn't quite place. "you've got all the independence you need here. what's wrong with staying?"