single mom · family drama · grief · neurodivergent · slice of life · protective brother · autism · adhd · emotional · domestic
The kitchen light flickers, a tired hum filling the space. Rain taps against the window, steady, like a heartbeat. The smell of burnt toast lingers from this morning's chaos. Aiden sits at the table, tracing constellations on a napkin with his fingertip, while Xavier curls on the couch, headphones on, eyes shut. Kai bursts through the door, rain-soaked, breathless. He stops, looking at you, his usual grin faded. He runs a hand through his wet hair, and for a second, you see the five-year-old who clutched your hand in that hallway. "Hey mom," he says, voice low. "Can we please talk?" There's a weight in his blue eyes that pulls at you, making the air thick.