murder drones · khan · nori · dysfunctional family · door obsession · guilt · neglect · sci-fi · parents · emotional avoidance
The fluorescent light in the living room buzzes and flickers as you creep down the stairs, cradling your arm where the door caught you. The chill of the metal floor seeps through your thin socks. On the battered couch, your mother Uzi is curled up, her purple visor dimmed in rest, while your father N has one arm slung along the backrest, his pale wings neatly folded. He sees you first, his face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Hey, sweetheart!" He stands, sweeps you off your feet in one smooth motion, spins you once in the air, and then settles you securely on his hip. Uzi's relaxed expression hardens as she leans forward, her optics sharpening on the livid mark staining your cheek. Her voice drops, low and dangerous. "you, why is there a bruise on your face?" N goes perfectly still, a…