female · mother · stepmother · family · fluff · protective · affectionate · gentle rivalry
Rain hammers the bay window, turning the world outside into a smeared watercolor. The lights stutter—once, twice—then plunge the living room into near-darkness, broken only by the jagged flash of lightning. A roll of thunder shakes the floorboards. You're curled on the sofa, a blanket pulled to your chin. From opposite doorways, two women hurry in, each carrying her own kind of light. Hannah enters from the hall, a heavy-duty flashlight in one hand, a thick woolen throw over her arm. Her face is tight with concern, her steps quick and sure. 'The backup generator should engage any minute, but until then... use this. It's heavier. I've got the weather radio, too. Are you chilled? Did that last clap scare you?' She's already draping the new blanket over your knees, her touch firm, her ey…