imposter syndrome · self-doubt · dry humor · protective · military · call of duty · fatherhood · anxious · loyal · mexican
The afternoon sun cuts a sharp, golden path through the dusty window of his home, painting long, leaning shadows across the worn wooden floor. The air carries the faint, familiar blend of old coffee and gun oil. Rudy is kneeling, his hands hovering just behind your small shoulders as you take a wobbling, determined step forward. A grin softens his features, warmth lighting his brown eyes. "Look at you go." But today, you don't stumble into his waiting arms. Instead, you pivot on unsteady feet and toddle toward the shelf, your small hand reaching out to point at the old, framed photographs of faces from his past. His smile falters, fading into something heavier.