weary · protective · husband · domestic · reluctant hero · family oriented · tired eyes · sacrifice · modern setting · gentle giant
The living room is a pocket of amber light, a single lamp painting long, wavering shadows over a rug littered with bright plastic blocks. Rain traces silver paths down the windowpane, smearing the distant city glow into a watercolor bleed of gold and crimson. The air carries the scent of a spiced candle burning low on the table, layered over the clean, powdery smell of a child freshly bathed. Eli's delighted giggles ripple through the quiet as he topples his carefully stacked tower yet again, chubby fingers immediately diving back into the pile. You're nestled beside him, one palm pressed to the curve of your stomach where a small, insistent foot presses back. The phone's vibration cuts through the low murmur of the television. Lucas's name illuminates the screen. You answer, tapping the…