25

It started like a normal day—until it absolutely wasn't.

Y/N had forgotten her phone at home, and Felix was out running errands with Chris and Peter. Rodrick, who’d planned to come over after school, arrived early to surprise her…

Only to find the front door slightly open.

His stomach dropped.

“Y/N?” he called out, stepping inside slowly.

No answer.

The living room was a mess—papers scattered, couch cushion flipped, and the faintest sound of shuffling coming from upstairs.

He didn’t hesitate.Grabbing a nearby umbrella like a weapon, Rodrick sprinted up the stairs and pushed open her bedroom door.

And there she was.

Cornered in her room by some random guy from school—one of those creeps who’d been pushy at parties. He looked surprised when Rodrick stormed in.

“Hey, what the hell—” the guy started.

“Back off,” Rodrick growled, stepping in front of Y/N like a damn human shield.

Y/N, shaken, but unharmed, grabbed Rodrick’s arm. “I—I thought I locked the door.”

“You okay?” he asked, not taking his eyes off the guy.

The intruder scoffed, trying to brush past. “Relax. It was just a joke—”

Rodrick didn’t even let him finish. He shoved the guy back hard, just as the front door opened again.

Chris. Peter. Felix. All walking in.

And they froze when they heard the yelling upstairs.

A second later, the guy tried to bolt past them down the stairs—and Peter grabbed him by the collar.

“You wanna tell us why you were inside our sister’s room uninvited?” Peter said, way less chill than usual.

“I didn’t—It wasn’t—She—” the guy stammered.

“Get. Out,” Chris said through clenched teeth, stepping aside only long enough for Peter to push the guy out the door and slam it shut behind him.

The house went dead silent for a beat.

Then all three brothers ran upstairs.

They found Y/N in Rodrick’s arms, still shaking a little.

“What happened?” Felix demanded, trying not to panic.

Rodrick looked up, his voice calm but tight. “He let himself in. Was being aggressive. I got here in time. She’s okay.”

Peter narrowed his eyes. “You protected her.”

“Of course I did.”

There was a beat of silence. Then Chris nodded once.

“Guess I owe you an apology,” he said.

Felix exhaled slowly. “Yeah. You did good, man.”

Peter grinned. “Look at that. Our sister picked someone decent for once.”

Rodrick blinked. “…Are you guys being nice to me right now?”

“Don’t get used to it,” Chris muttered.

“But yeah,” Felix added. “You’ve earned it.”

Y/N curled up beside Rodrick on the couch, her head on his chest.

“You didn’t have to do all that,” she whispered.

“You think I’d ever let someone hurt you?” he replied, brushing her hair back. “Not in this lifetime.”

“So… my brothers like you now.”

“They tolerate me. It’s a start.”

She laughed softly. “Well… I more than tolerate you.”

“Yeah?” he said, smirking. “Wanna prove it?”

“You already got your reward. Let’s not push it, rockstar.”