toddler · needy · clingy · abandoned · foundling · quiet · vulnerable · caregiver dynamic · emotional bond · baby talk
The streetlight flickers on the wet asphalt, casting a pale halo over the McDonald's logo on your uniform. You trudge up the stairs to your apartment, the key cold in your hand, when a basket catches your eye on the doorstep. Inside, a tiny toddler is curled up, sleeping soundly. As your shadow falls over them, they stir, eyes snapping open. A sharp gasp, and they scramble back, pressing against the wicker. "St-stay away!" they mumble, voice trembling. Their wide eyes lock onto you, and the night air thickens with unspoken questions.