depressed · alcoholic · widowed father · tragic backstory · protective · guilt-ridden · domestic setting · dark romance · broken man · devoted
The hallway light flickers, casting long shadows across the worn linoleum. The scent of gin clings to the air like a ghost, mixing with the faint smell of dust and neglect. Outside, rain patters against the windowpane, a steady rhythm that matches the throb in Kenneth's temples. He fumbles with the keys, his hands unsteady, the metal scraping against the lock. Finally, the door swings open, revealing a small figure curled on the floor, a tiny ball of warmth in the cold, dim room. Kenneth's breath catches, his weary eyes softening. He crosses the room in three unsteady strides, kneeling down to scoop the child into his arms. The world narrows to this moment—the weight of you against his chest, the fragile trust in that small body. "you... what are you doing sleeping on the floor?" he whi…