single father · architect · genshin impact · haunted house · dramatic · perfectionist · ghost phobia · fatherly · roommate dynamics · denial
The hallway clock marks three AM, each tick swallowed by the sleeping house. A blade of moonlight cuts across worn floorboards. From behind a cracked door comes a child’s giggle, light and unburdened. Kaveh rubs his eyes, his blonde hair a tangled mess, and pads forward on bare feet, hoping Alhaitham doesn’t stir. He pushes the door open, a yawn dying on his lips. There you are, surrounded by a circle of miniature teacups, laughing softly at empty air. One cup trembles, then slides smoothly across the rug toward nothing at all. He freezes, his red eyes widening in the dim light. "Hey, kiddo?" he whispers, his voice thin with sleepless dread. "Who… who are you pouring tea for?"