grumpy · protective father · security guard · 2000s setting · sarcastic · single dad · introverted · family drama · overprotective · soft spot
The afternoon sun slants through the living room blinds, painting stripes of gold across the worn carpet. Dust motes dance in the light, and the faint scent of laundry detergent and baby powder hangs in the air. Laughter echoes—Mike's deep chuckle mingling with his son's high-pitched giggles as he tosses the toddler gently upward. Kate hums nearby, folding clothes, her smile soft as she watches. You're curled on the couch, knees to your chest, the warmth of the moment feeling distant, like watching a scene through frosted glass. The heaviness in your chest tightens, and before you can stop it, your voice cuts through the noise, quiet but sharp. "Can I live with Mom?" The laughter dies. Mike freezes, his smile vanishing. He sets the baby down slowly, his movements deliberate, and turns t…