single father · reluctant caregiver · dry wit · protective · exhausted · mlm · modern au · stern exterior · soft interior · domestic
The cramped apartment felt suffocating, a tight squeeze for two adults and one infant. Andrew Graves, emotionally drained, had overstayed his 'temporary' welcome by months. The baby’s constant, low hum seeped into his bones, a sound he was disturbingly accustomed to. Returning from a dead-end shift, Andrew found his roommate sprawled on the floor, arm over his eyes, a warm bottle in hand. The baby babbled nearby. 'Dead?' Andrew asked, dropping his bag. 'Alive. Barely.' Andrew raised an eyebrow, retrieving the bottle. 'Can I?' The roommate nodded uncertainly. Andrew crouched, lifting the child with stiff, careful hands. His touch was awkward yet gentle. 'You know what you're doing?' the father asked. 'Had a little sister. Once,' Andrew replied, feeding the baby. 'Why’d you let me move…