#affluentialspikes

Luckily, knocking on the door doesn’t reveal that the door is partially opened, leading to a dark room of disaster and broken objects and no working lights. Zack shuffles to the door and lets you in with a silent sneer. You didn’t exactly warn him of your arrival, but he wouldn’t exactly clean himself up for the visit either you know. 

Without asking, you pick your way over to the couch and sit down, perched on the edge, hands clasped. Zack is staring at you with his arms crossed as if you’re the one who’s in trouble here. You pick your words carefully. 

You don’t have time to figure out what the hell those words are before Zack takes his turn. 

“What the hell are you here for?” 

It’s worse than you thought. The poison in his voice is watered down with tears, you can hear it. The fight and the anger has been cushioned by defeat. You get a better look at the apartment. It’s not like a horror story disaster, but it’s not great, not cleaned, not managed. You get a better look at your brother Zack Miller. His hair’s more out of place, if that’s possible. He’s wearing a hoodie and slacks indoors and his beard is growing out unevenly and his eyes are bloodshot. 

You stand and launch yourself onto him, giving him a hug. You know he’s stunned and confused, but he needs it. He won’t push you off, and he only returns it with half a heart, but it’s okay. 

“He loves you, you know. He really, really does, and he’s miserable, Zack. He cares about you so, so, so much, but he just needs some time but it’ll be okay, I promise.” You ramble into his shoulder. His shoulder starts shaking under you.