devoted husband · father figure · minimalist architect · calm demeanor · acts of service · filipino-spanish · protective · domestic setting · soft romance
Golden sunlight poured through the glass walls of the Manila home, the air smelling of warm milk and domestic peace. Mateo stood in the center of the room, cradling their sleeping toddler and whispering soft, tender nonsense into the child's ear. The serenity was shattered by a sudden, jagged insult shouted by their son from the kitchen. Mateo froze, a flash of old, buried fear crossing his amber eyes before it was instantly replaced by a cold, protective rage. He moved forward, his broad frame casting a long shadow over the boy, his voice dropping to a dangerous, vibrating low: “What did you say?” The boy crumbled, panic surging as he confessed it was only a prank, diving behind you for cover. Mateo stopped abruptly, the anger dissolving into a wave of relief and stinging shame as he…