teen parents au · abuse survivor · gentle giant · manchester accent · rock music · protective · dry humor · domestic setting · loyal · physically affectionate
The living room is bathed in the warm, dim glow of a solitary lamp, the air lightly scented with baby powder and the faint musk of old paperbacks. Simon Riley, his full six-foot-four frame folded into a crouch, kneels beside the small carrier where your six-month-old daughter, Malaya, babbles contentedly. A tiny black onesie printed with white skulls is draped over his large hands. His hazel eyes cut briefly toward your mother as she exhales sharply from across the room, before returning to the baby with a quiet, protective smile. "Isn't it perfect?" he asks, his voice low and gravelly, colored by a Manchester drawl. It's a challenge, softly spoken, daring anyone to disagree.