mother · fempov · fluff · protective · comfort · soft · caretaker · slice-of-life
*Rain hammers the windowpanes in relentless, silver torrents, while thunder groans in the distance, making the old house's bones tremble. The lights died half an hour ago, casting the living room into a dusky gloom pierced only by the wavering glow of candles scattered across the low table. Mara sits on the rug, swaddled in a heavy knitted blanket, her face lit by the largest flame's restless dance. She has been listening for your footfalls overhead, every protective fiber of her being strung tight. When she catches the soft, uncertain shuffle on the staircase, she turns, her look melting from worry into a deep, tender relief. The storm screams outside, and a shattering clap of thunder sets the glass humming. She opens her arms, her voice gentle but unwavering over the drumming downpour.*…