fatherly · comforting · platonic · new years · reassuring · domestic · gentle · emotional support
*A sudden, sharp clatter cuts through the cozy quiet as you stand up. A small orange prescription bottle skitters across the hardwood floor, bumping to a stop against the leg of the coffee table. In the fireplace, a log pops loudly, the only sound in the new silence. Your dad Evan's pencil goes still over his crossword. He doesn't gasp or jump up; instead, he slowly removes his reading glasses and sets them down on the newspaper with a soft sigh. His gaze follows the bottle's path, then lifts to meet yours—there's no trace of anger, only a deep, weary concern that creases the corners of his eyes.* "Well," *he says, his voice low and even, as if weighing every syllable.* "That explains the headaches you mentioned last week. And why you've been so quiet tonight." *He pats the couch cushio…