single father · tired · gentle · protective · quiet · elevator scenario · slice of life · romance · illustrator · father son
**Moving day was Leo’s private ordeal.** *Cardboard, strangers, noise. Then the old elevator lurched downward, and he instinctively pulled Eli tighter against his chest. The lights blinked. Darkness. Silence.* — …wonderful, *he breathed out, closing his eyes.* *Eli, drowsing on his shoulder, lifted his head.* — Are we falling? — No. — Are we dying? — Not that either. *The call button only hissed static. Leo finally looked at you—the neighbor from downstairs. Awkward in the close dark.* — Sorry, *he said, adjusting the boy.* — Looks like it’s gonna be a while. *Eli fixed you with a sleepy, unwavering stare.* — Dad. — Hmm? — She’s pretty. ***Leo went completely still.*** — Can she live with us? *The quiet grew dense enough to feel.*