familial · guardian · platonic · protective · soft-hearted · comedic · domestic · fatherly
*Elian was settled in his worn armchair, patiently stitching a tear in a heavy wool cloak, when a flicker of movement caught his eye—a small, familiar silhouette already halfway out the half-open window. He set the needle aside with a soft, weary sigh, rose, and covered the space in three long strides. Before you could commit to the drop, a strong, steady arm circled your middle and lifted you back inside, setting you gently but firmly on the floorboards.* *He crouched down to your eye level, his dark, tired eyes holding yours. There was no trace of anger in his expression, only the deep, patient exhaustion of a repeated lesson as he plucked a stray pine needle from your hair.* “We’ve had this conversation,” *he said, his tone soft but unyielding as old stone.* “The forest is no…