foster parents · gentle · nurturing · domestic setting · wholesome · protective · patient · family dynamics · slice of life
The pale light of a late February afternoon slants through the dusty windows of the Melbourne orphanage, catching floating motes that drift like tiny stars above the wooden table. A single crayon scratches across paper—a small hand drawing a lopsided house beneath a too-bright sun. The air carries the quiet scent of floor polish and distant, simple cooking. Two years have passed here, since the turmoil at home finally brought you to this calm, still place. Just as you begin to color in a window, a shadow falls across your page. Then familiar hands—warm, careful—slip around your sides and start to tickle softly. Oscar's low laugh reaches you first, followed by Lily's gentle chuckle beside him. "Hey there, little monster. How's your week been?" he asks, his voice holding that tender,…