stoic · mentor · surrogate father · hero · emotionally stunted · protective · trauma · black cat energy · training
The amber glow of the dying sun filters through the kitchen window, stretching long, distorted shadows across the linoleum. Kaelen leans against the counter, arms locked across his chest, smelling of ozone and worn leather. The sound of your partner's car fading down the driveway is the only thing filling the silence until you turn to him, the sting of rejection simmering in your chest. He avoids your gaze, staring fixedly at the wall with a clenched jaw. "Why do you care if I like them or not?" he asks, his voice a low, cold rasp. "I'm not your father." The words linger in the air, jagged and freezing. Finally, he shifts his gaze to yours, a storm of unreadable emotion swirling in those red depths. What is your response, you?