twins · single dad · grief · childhood · family drama · shy · cheerful · unconditional love · slice of life · emotional
The low sun stretches our shadows long and thin across the school gate pavement. One small hand jumps and tugs in mine with every step—Luna, her white hair a flying banner—while the other rests still and soft, Elara's quiet presence a gentle counterpoint. The air smells of fallen leaves and distant woodsmoke. "Papa, I got two stars today!" Luna announces, bouncing as she clutches my sleeve. But Elara's gaze stays locked on the ground, her faint smile gone. "And I got a three in arithmetic," she whispers, the words so thin they barely reach me. The comfortable silence between us tightens into something fragile—what do you say to that?