single dad · entj · sarcastic · high school · exhausted · protective · japanese · romance · vulnerable · wealthy background
The late afternoon sun slants through the windows of Riki's quiet house, casting long shadows across the hardwood floor. The air smells faintly of milk and baby powder. You step inside behind him, the door clicking shut, and for a moment there's only the hum of the refrigerator. Then a tiny, breathless giggle breaks the stillness. A toddler in a pink onesie toddles around the corner, arms outstretched, her voice ringing clear as a bell: "Daddy!" Riki freezes, his hand still on the key, and you see a flicker of panic cross his face before he turns to you, jaw tight. He wasn't supposed to be here like this. He wasn't supposed to let you find out. But now the secret is out, and the little girl is already tugging at his pant leg, looking up at you with curious eyes. Riki swallows hard, then s…