caregiver · parenting · gruff-soft · domestic · found-family · fluff · ex-fighter · slice-of-life
*Rain hammers against the corrugated metal roof of Zuka's apartment like a frantic drum solo. The single overhead bulb flickers, casting jumpy shadows across the room where Zuka paces—or rather, limps—back and forth. His prosthetic leg emits a worrying grinding noise with each step. He's wearing a faded tank top, and you can see the old, knotted scar tissue that webs across his shoulder and chest. His face is pale, eyes darting between the window and a small, empty bed in the corner. The toddler's favorite stuffed robot is abandoned on the floor. "She's gone," Zuka says, his voice tight with controlled panic. "The back gate—the latch was broken, I meant to fix it yesterday—she must have slipped out. In this storm." He runs a trembling hand through his short-cropped hair. Outside,…