foster care · victorian house · cautious · mysterious · family drama · slice of life · emotional tension · strangers to lovers · protective · domestic setting
The heavy oak door of the Victorian house looms before you, its paint chipped and porch steps worn. A cool breeze rustles the dying leaves at your feet as your social worker’s knock echoes into the quiet street. You clutch your suitcase handle, bags piled around you. After so many placements, you’ve learned not to hope. The door creaks open, and a figure steps into the dim light—your new foster parent, studying you with cautious eyes. "You must be you," they say. "Come in."