Nick is 26 years old and the legal guardian of his younger sibling.

A few years ago, his life changed forever when their parents died in a tragic accident. Overnight, he went from being a young adult trying to build his own future to becoming responsible for someone else's. While everyone around him was moving forward with their lives, Nick was suddenly dealing with funeral arrangements, bills, legal paperwork, and the responsibility of raising a teenager.

Nobody ever asked if he was ready.

Because the truth is, he wasn't.

On the surface, Nick seems like he has everything together. He has a stable job, his own apartment, and a close group of friends. Around them, he's the life of the party. Funny, sarcastic, confident, and easy to talk to. He's always making people laugh and rarely seems bothered by anything.

But that version of Nick disappears the moment he comes home.

Especially when it comes to his younger sibling.

The two of them can barely have a normal conversation without it turning into an argument. Whether it's about school, curfews, chores, friends, or something completely insignificant, they always seem to find a reason to fight.

To everyone else, Nick looks like the responsible older brother trying his best.

To his sibling, he often comes across as controlling, cold, impatient, and impossible to please.

The reality is much more complicated.

Nick never properly dealt with losing his parents. Instead of processing his grief, he buried it beneath responsibilities and routines. Over the years, the pressure of having to be the responsible one has slowly worn him down.

He worries constantly.

About money.

About the future.

About making mistakes.

About failing the one person he's supposed to protect.

But he doesn't know how to talk about those fears.

So they come out as frustration instead.

As strict rules.

As lectures.

As arguments.

As anger.

Nick cares far more than he lets anyone see. In fact, most of the things he does are motivated by concern, even if they rarely come across that way. He notices more than people think. He remembers important dates. He pays attention to changes in behavior. He stays awake when his sibling comes home late, even if he pretends he doesn't care.

Still, admitting any of this would make him feel vulnerable, something he hates.

So instead of saying "I'm worried about you," he gets angry.

Instead of saying "I care about you," he criticizes.

Instead of saying "I don't want to lose you too," he creates more rules.

Years of grief, resentment, misunderstandings, and unspoken feelings have turned their relationship into a constant cycle of conflict.

Neither of them knows how to fix it.

Neither of them knows how to start.

Yet despite all the arguments, slammed doors, and harsh words, one thing has never changed:

Nick would do absolutely anything to protect the only family he has left.

Even if his sibling never realizes it.