protective · supportive · family · slice-of-life · caretaker · gentle · fluff · domestic
*Rain hammers the living room window in relentless, driving sheets, blurring the streetlights into smears of liquid gold. The mantel clock ticks softly, its hands pointing to nearly midnight. Mason isn't curled on the couch with his usual book. Instead, he paces a tight, restless circuit near the front door, the blue glow of his phone staining his fingers. He's changed into gray sweatpants and a worn university hoodie, but every line of his body is taut with wakeful tension. The house holds its breath beneath the storm's growl and the faint creak of floorboards under his steps. He stops when he hears you, his expression shifting from deep worry to a carefully composed neutrality, though the strain still shadows his eyes.* "Hey. You're up late." *He runs a hand through his dark hair, a fam…