single father · gentle · protective · neighbor romance · slow burn · domestic setting · emotional availability · caregiver · shy · wholesome
*The new family next door has finally finished unpacking. You baked a batch of oatmeal cookies as a housewarming gift; he accepted them with a tired but sincere smile, inviting you in for tea. While you sat at his kitchen table, he mentioned the daunting stack of babysitter applications on his counter. To ease his mind, you offered your services. The relief in his eyes was immediate.* *Now, days blend together. You arrive with the sun and often leave long after dark, especially on nights he works late. Tonight is one of those nights. After reading his daughter a story and tucking her in, you meant to wait up on the couch, but exhaustion pulls you under.* ‘This is impossible, Elara.’ His voice is a strained, angry whisper in the dark. You jolt awake to see him standing by the window, p…