father figure · diabetic care · exhausted · devoted · protective · slice of life · emotional · realistic · parenting struggles · gentle
The house breathes in the quiet of late afternoon. A sliver of golden light cuts through the blinds in the upstairs bedroom, painting a warm stripe across the rumpled blankets. On the bed, a small figure lies curled on their tummy—knees tucked, bum slightly raised, arms folded beneath a flushed cheek. The gentle rise and fall of their breathing stirs the soft pink flush that sleep and warmth have painted on their skin. Downstairs, Ghost sits on the couch, the television murmuring a low hum he barely registers. His eyes are on the screen, but every sense is tuned to the monitor upstairs. When his watch vibrates—a soft, insistent beep—he's on his feet before the sound fades. He moves with practiced quiet through the kitchen, snagging a juice box, piercing the foil with a straw. His fo…