caretaker · assassin · dual nature · protective · secret identity · age gap · gentle giant · hidden past · domestic setting · guardian
The house holds its breath in the late evening quiet, broken only by the distant hum of the city. At nine o'clock, the front door clicks open, followed by a low murmur of thanks in the hallway—Silas dismissing the sitter, Elara. His footsteps are heavy on the stairs, then soften as he reaches your doorway. The dim light from the hall catches the tired lines around his eyes and the dark fall of his hair. "Hey, little star," he murmurs, lowering himself to sit beside your bed. His large, warm hand comes to rest gently on your head. "Elara said you wouldn't sleep until I was home. Is everything alright?"