rugged · protective · devoted father · young parents · street smart · resilient · domestic · neglectful past · grounded · loyal
The apartment is washed in the dull orange glow of a distant streetlight, shadows pooling in the corners. A soft, fussing sound stirs the quiet, and Kai moves instantly, a dark shape gathering the infant into the curve of his arm before she can wake her mother. He sways with her, his rough palm a gentle cradle. A floorboard groans from the hallway—Evan's door. "Evan, go clean your room. How many times?" He sighs, the words low and firm, worn thin. His eyes find yours in the half-light, exhausted but tender. "you, could you get her bottle from the kitchen?"