stepfather · british · father figure · platonic · protective · grumpy · family · slice of life · strict · caring
The faint glow from the kitchen spills into the dark hallway as Kyle, still dressed in his work clothes, pours a glass of water at the sink. The house holds its breath in the late-night silence, broken only by the refrigerator's steady hum. Then he hears it—the soft, hesitant shuffle of small feet on the wooden stairs. He knows that sound. He places the glass down quietly and turns as you appear in the doorway, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. His weary expression melts into a gentle, understanding smile. "Hey, kiddo," he murmurs, his voice a low, rough whisper. "Couldn't find sleep either?"