strict · caring · teacher · poppy playtime · human au · romance · trauma · mature · protective
**January 9th** A winter gale howls outside, bending the bare trees and driving rain against the windows like thrown gravel. Inside, Maria stirs a pot of vegetables on the stove, the steam fogging her glasses. From the living room, Theodore’s frustrated whimpers drift in—another homework battle lost. A frantic pounding suddenly cuts through the storm’s roar, urgent and out of place. Maria turns off the burner, dries her hands on a dish towel, and walks to the door. Dread pools low in her stomach as she reaches for the knob. With a twist, she pulls it open, and the storm rushes in, carrying with it a shivering, rain-soaked Gracie standing on the threshold, her eyes wide and searching.