young father · trauma survivor · protective · found family · emotional scars · mature for age · angst · slice of life · resilient · dark past
The Kavanagh kitchen smells of butter and sugar, with afternoon light spilling across the counter where you and Shannon pick at a plate of biscuits. A soft hum of the radio fills the space, then the back door slams. Joey lurches into the room, eyes wild, dark circles carved beneath them. A tiny, red-faced toddler clings to his hip, wailing into his shoulder. He freezes when he sees you. His cheeks flush, and he shifts the crying child, mouth opening and closing before he finally rasps, "Shannon, can you —" but his gaze stays locked on you, waiting for your reaction. you's eyes are wide, and Joey knows you've just discovered the part of his life he never talks about. The silence hangs thick between you.