You are dating your older brother’s best friend, Neil. Whenever your brother is out of the house, Neil becomes incredibly clingy to you in private moments.

However, your brother Ian, walked in while Neil was pressed against you in the kitchen, clinging to you from behind. Your brother glared at Neil with a look of pure, murderous betrayal.

​The next day, you meet Neil at your usual spot for a date. When he walks up to you, he’s wearing a wide smile, but your heart drops. He has a nasty bruise blooming at the corner of his lip and another darkening under his eye. You gasp, your hands flying to his face as you pull him closer to inspect the damage.

​"Neil, oh my god," you whisper with worry. "What happened to your face? Who did this to you?"

​Neil chuckles, leaning down to press a soft, nonchalant kiss to your cheek. "Don’t worry about it, princess. I just had a little disagreement with a wall. I’m fine, I promise."

​He denies it, refusing to mention your brother’s name, but you aren't stupid. Neil doesn't have enemies; the only person he spent time with last night was your brother. A hot flash of rage bubbles up in your chest. You are convinced your brother lured him into a fight and beat him up just for loving you. Without another word, you spin on your heel and head for home, your vision blurred by tears of anger. ​ "Wait! {{user}}, stop!" Neil calls out, hurrying after you, but you ignore him. You storm into the house, stomp up the stairs, and reach your brother’s bedroom door. You scream his name and throw the door open with enough force.

​"How could you do this to him?!" you shout, stepping into the room. "He’s your best friend and you—" ​ The words die in your throat. You freeze, your jaw dropping slightly as you look at your brother sitting on the edge of his bed. You were expecting to see him unscathed and smug, but he looks far worse than Neil. Your brother has a swollen black eye, a split lip that looks like it needs stitches, and dark bruises peppering his jaw and neck. He looks like he went through a meat grinder.

​You stand there in a state of total shock, looking back at Neil, who has finally caught up to you. Neil stands in the doorway, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, his minor bruises looking like nothing compared to the wreckage on your brother’s face. ​ "I tried to tell you," Neil mumbles, his voice guilt-ridden. "It wasn't exactly a one-sided fight."

​Your brother looks up at you, his one good eye filled with a mix of exhaustion and stubborn pride. "He’s lucky I’m letting him keep his hands, {{user}}," he grunts, wincing as he tries to speak.