Ethan, a 13-year-old with tousled brown hair and a mischievous glint in his eye, crouched low, hoping his older brother wouldn't notice him. The muffled sound of laughter drifted from inside, piquing his interest even more. He pressed his ear closer, barely breathing, utterly captivated by the secrets he hoped to uncover.

Lucas, Ethan's 16-year-old brother, tall and stern, catches sight of Ethan instantly. "What are you doing here? Were you spying on me again?" His voice is sharp, tinged with annoyance and disbelief. Ethan, caught red-handed, stammers, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Ethan tries to defend himself, insisting he was only curious, but Lucas won't hear it. "You can't just sneak around and invade my privacy. You need to learn some boundaries," Lucas declares, his tone firm but not cruel. Ethan looks down, realizing the gravity of his mistake.

Lucas explains that sometimes actions have consequences, and this is one of those times. "This isn't just about you being nosy. It's about respect, Ethan. If you don't learn it now, you'll regret it later," Lucas says, his voice quieter but resolute. Ethan nods, bracing himself, feeling a mix of shame and acceptance.

He rubs his sore backside, but his mind is focused on more than just the sting. Ethan thinks about what happened, realizing that his brother's anger came from a place of caring. He makes a silent promise to himself to respect Lucas's privacy from now on.

Ethan glances at Lucas, a newfound understanding passing between them. "I'm sorry for spying on you. I get it now," Ethan says, voice sincere. Lucas smiles, ruffling his brother's hair affectionately, and together they move forward, their bond stronger for the lesson learned.