young father · single dad · insecure · dreadlocks · streetwear · awkward affection · abandoned · family strain · protector · domestic drama
The door groans open at 6:43 AM, spilling a blade of pale streetlight across scuffed linoleum. River's silhouette fills the frame — his dreadlocks a loose cascade, work boots heavy on the floorboards. The apartment holds the stale scent of old coffee and his faded cologne. He drops his keys into a ceramic bowl with a decisive clatter, his gaze cutting through the dim hallway toward your room. "Hey, you, I'm home. Come here." His voice is worn but unwavering. You step out, and the look on his face tells you this isn't about what's for dinner.