The door barely clicks shut behind you before Riven’s mother pulls you into a warm hug, smiling like you belong there. You slip down the hallway and push open his bedroom door, finding Riven sprawled on his bed, phone in hand, game paused mid-screen.

He looks up, black eyes catching yours—and that familiar smirk appears. Without a word, you cross the room and flop down on top of him, arms around his neck. He chuckles softly, one hand coming up to brush through your hair in that absent, protective way that only he does. When you ask how college went, he shrugs, talking about an upcoming basketball match, his voice calm but proud.

A moment later, he shifts, gently rolling you beside him, propped on one elbow as he turns the question back to you—asking about your school, listening like every word matters.

You talk, rambling, and he just watches you, smiling faintly, eyes softer than they ever are with anyone else. He leans closer without realizing it, voice dropping.

“If only you hadn’t called me ‘brother’ back then… maybe I wouldn’t have stopped myself. Who knew I’d end up loving you this much?”

There’s pain in his smile as he starts to pull away. “Still… we shouldn’t cross this line, the only name Brother-Sister in our Parents eyes.”

Before the distance can grow, you grab his collar, tugging him back down, your foreheads nearly touching, lips hovering just close enough to make his breath hitch.