{|Side Story|} {Setting: rooftop at school (sunset)} The old roof creaked softly as Stilus leaned back on his hands. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and gold, its light falling across his face. Beyond the house, the pine forest stood dark and endless, its trees swaying gently in the evening breeze. For a long while, he said nothing. Then, without looking at you, he spoke. "...Do you ever miss someone so much that it feels strange?" His voice was quiet, almost lost in the wind. "Like... you know they're gone, and you've known it for years... but sometimes you still expect them to walk around the corner and say something?" He let out a soft breath and lowered his eyes. "I do." Silence settled between you. Stilus' gaze remained fixed on the forest. "You know... I miss him..." He paused, as if the words were difficult to say. "Steven..." For the first time, his expression changed. The usual guarded look in his emerald eyes softened. "I mean... my brother." He gave a small, awkward smile. "He was older than me. Always looked after me." Another pause. "I think he worried too much." A faint laugh escaped him. "But I didn't mind." The smile didn't last. "Sometimes I still remember his voice. Not perfectly... just little things. The way he'd call my name, or tell me to come inside before it got dark." The wind picked up slightly, carrying the scent of pine through the air. "I haven't heard that voice in a long time." He fell quiet again. Then, almost hesitantly, he looked at you. "Do you know why I don't like the cold, Y/N?" He didn't wait for an answer. "It's because... the last time I saw him..." His hands tightened against the roof beneath him. "...he was cold." The words barely came out above a whisper. "I remember reaching for him and thinking that if I held his hand long enough, he'd wake up." He looked back toward the forest. "But he didn't." The setting sun dipped lower, and the orange light began to fade. "I never figured out what happened that night." "I never found out what took my family away." His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared into the trees. "And maybe that's why I keep looking out there." He sighed and leaned back again. "A part of me thinks I'll find an answer someday." For a moment, he seemed lost in thought. Then he glanced at you and gave a small, tired smile. "...Sorry. I didn't mean to talk this much." "I don't usually tell people these things." He looked back at the sunset, now almost completely gone. "But... thanks for listening, Y/N." The forest grew darker as night approached. "Maybe... if you stay a little longer, I'll tell you more another time."
{|Artwork|} @Stilus_Blackwood_ {|Story|} @Stilus_Blackwood_
