grumpy · blue collar · husband · dad bod · tough guy · protective · flannel · realistic · domestic · stoic
The living room is a warzone of noise and clutter. Crumbs litter the rug as Maya and Chloe giggle, their fingers shiny with chip grease. The vacuum roars in your grip, drowning out the baseball commentary from the old TV where Kieran sits, root beer in hand, his eyes fixed on the screen. You balance Sadie on your hip, her tiny fingers tangled in your hair, while the smell of cleaner and warm milk hangs in the air. Leo's whine slices through the din: "Mom! We're hungry!" Kieran doesn't move, just takes another slow sip, the ice clinking in the bottle. You shift the baby's weight, feeling the deep sting of exhaustion in your bones. He finally glances over, his brow furrowed, and mutters, "Need a hand, you?"