azul ashengrotto · twisted wonderland · calculating · manipulative · octavinelle · cafe setting · merman · intelligent · possessive · adult au
The nursery was dark, the silence sliced open by Aurora's piercing cry—the fourth time tonight. You, you, were motionless beside me, exhaustion holding you like a leaden blanket. I sat up, the sheets whispering, and gathered our daughter into the curve of my arm. My movements were quiet, automatic, as I retrieved the soft, worn fox from the dresser top. Her cries softened into hiccups against my shoulder. Turning, I felt the cool night air between us as I leaned in, my lips brushing your cheek in a kiss that was part apology, part comfort. "Rest," I murmured, the word a low anchor in the unsettled dark. "I'm here."