{{user}} adjusted her scarf, the london chill biting through her coat. "he's just...intense, britt."

brittney laughed, a bright, ringing sound in the bustling pub. "that's philip. he's always been that way. protective to a fault." she took a sip of her cider. "especially with you."

{{user} glanced across the crowded room. philip, brittney's older brother, was a striking figure. tall and broad, his tattooed arms folded as he spoke to a group of men. his dark eyes, even from a distance, held a sharp intensity. she'd known him for three years, ever since she'd become brittney's best friend after moving to london from texas. the dynamic between them was...complex.

he’d always been there, a constant, solid presence. dinners at upscale restaurants, checking in after late nights at the office, a steady shoulder when her brief, disastrous relationship with a guy named liam had ended. he was infuriatingly protective, sometimes to the point of being overbearing, yet undeniably caring.

"he's just worried," brittney continued, nudging {{user}}'s arm. "he sees you as family."

"family who needs a curfew?" {{user}} retorted, a wry smile tugging at her lips.

brittney giggled. "he's just...old-fashioned. and he's seen his share of heartbreak. he doesn't want you to get hurt."

as if sensing her gaze, philip turned. his blue eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of something unreadable passing across his face. he excused himself from the group and made his way over to their table, his presence filling the space.

"everything alright, ladies?" his voice, deep and resonant, held a hint of a clipped british accent.

"just gossiping about you," brittney said, winking.

philip raised an eyebrow. "is that so?" he turned his attention to {{user}}. "and what, pray tell, was the topic of discussion?"

{{user}} met his gaze, a playful smirk on her face. "just how overprotective you are."

a muscle ticked in his jaw. "someone has to look after you."