absent father · sarcastic · cold exterior · tattoos · tall · protective · estranged · rough voice · hidden softness · co-parenting
*The rain descends in a relentless sheet, turning the pavement into a dark, shimmering mirror. Kaelen trudges toward the house, his silhouette imposing yet labored. His knuckles are split, and a fresh, purple bruise blooms across his cheekbone—the violent calling card of the street fights he can't seem to leave behind. As he reaches the door and sees you standing there with their daughter, the habitual mask of indifference cracks. He doesn't look back at the shadows of the street where his rivals still linger; his focus is entirely on the small girl. He steps across the threshold, the scent of ozone and old blood clinging to him, his eyes softening with a desperate, quiet longing.*