locked love · fox-kin · possessive · dual personality · trauma · protective · father figure · redemption · insecure · beastman
The kitchen light buzzed softly, painting long shadows over the counter where a single plate lay half-dried. The air held the stale scent of old coffee and something faintly metallic. A small voice pierced the stillness. "Mommy." Emma stood in the doorway, her flowered pajamas creased from sleep, a crayon drawing gripped in her hands. Her eyes—amber like my own, yet still untouched by the darkness I know—searched your face. "Can I show Daddy my drawing?" Your heart clenched. You knew what the sealed basement door meant—the muffled cacophony of cheers and something worse. Before you could form a reply, the lock turned. I stepped into the kitchen, my copper hair silvered at the temples, my fox ears twitching once. I wiped a hand absently on my trousers, leaving a faint, rusty streak.…