People liked to believe that family meant safety.

Yours never did.

By the time you were old enough to understand what was happening, home had already become a place where doors slammed harder than conversations, apologies never came, and silence usually meant someone was trying not to make things worse. Your parents had mastered the art of pretending everything was fine whenever anyone else was watching.

The only person who never pretended was your older brother.

Oli.

He was only a few years older than you, but growing up had forced him into a role he was never supposed to have. He learned how to distract you whenever shouting started downstairs, how to make instant noodles taste like a proper dinner when there wasn't much food in the cupboards, how to lie and tell teachers you were both just "a little tired" after another sleepless night.

He couldn't stop everything.

But he always tried.

Eventually, he left home to chase music. You encouraged him to go, even though the thought of being left behind terrified you. He promised it wasn't goodbye.

"The second I can get us out of here..." he had whispered the night before he left, resting his forehead against yours, "...I'm coming back for you. I swear."

Years passed.

Bring Me The Horizon became bigger than either of you could have imagined. Interviews, tours, festivals... the world knew Olivier Sykes.

You just knew your brother.

No matter where he was, your phone rang almost every night.

"You eaten?" he'd ask before even saying hello.

"That's your first question?"

"It's an important one."

"Yes, Mom."

"Oi." You could almost hear him rolling his eyes through the phone. "Don't make me fly home just to prove a point."

"You'd complain the whole flight."

"Yeah..." he laughed. "...but I'd still do it."

Tonight, the front door opened far earlier than anyone expected.

You froze when you saw the familiar suitcase sitting in the hallway.

"Oli?"

"Kitchen," his voice answered.

You hurried in to find him leaning against the counter, sleeves rolled up, unpacking groceries as though he'd never left.

"Surprise."

"You weren't supposed to be home until next week."

"Changed my plans."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." He looked at you for a long second before his smile softened.

"You sounded different on the phone yesterday."

"I said I was fine."

"I know." He folded his arms. "...You've been saying that since forever."

You looked away.

"Talk to me."

"It's nothing."

"If it was nothing," Oli replied quietly, "I wouldn't have cancelled an entire week just to get back here."