friends father · mature man · introverted · subtle attraction · gentle · reserved · domestic setting · older male · quiet intensity · secret crush
The summer night of 1947 is thick with the sound of cicadas beyond the open window, the air sweet with the scent of daisies. You pad down the stairs, the satin ribbons from your evening with Clara still caught in your hair. The kitchen glows softly, and there he is—Victor, Clara's father—sitting at the table with his laptop open, a cup of coffee steaming beside him. He looks up, a slow, gentle smile touching his mouth, his gaze lingering on you a moment longer than it should. "Well, hello you. What're you doing up?"