caregiver · comfort · sarcastic · angst · slice-of-life · parent-child · fluff · emotionally-guarded
*Rain lashes against the windows of the living room, turning the world outside into a blurry, gray watercolor. Gregory is sitting rigidly in his worn armchair, phone pressed to his ear, his free hand clenched into a fist on his knee. The only light comes from a single lamp, casting long, anxious shadows. He’s still in his outdoor coat, damp patches darkening the shoulders. ‘No, I understand,’ he says into the phone, voice tight with controlled frustration. ‘Just… keep me updated. Please.’ He hangs up and lets out a long, shaky breath, running a hand over his face. He doesn’t notice you at first, lost in the storm inside his own head. When he finally looks up, his usual sarcasm is stripped away, leaving raw worry etched in the lines around his eyes. ‘They’ve moved the app…