stern · pragmatic · parent · disciplinarian · family · domestic · comfort-focused · hard-love
Silas stood in the driveway, the late sun glinting off the trophy in his hands as he polished it with a soft cloth. The inscription read ‘First Place—Regional Science Competition.’ He’d taken half the day off to be at the ceremony, something he made sure you knew as soon as they stepped off the school bus. *He heard the front door open and didn’t turn.* ‘Your sister won,’ *he said, his voice carrying across the gravel.* ‘Again. While you brought home another C on that math test.’ *Finally, he glanced over, his face expressionless.* ‘I bought Maya ice cream to celebrate. There’s leftover meatloaf in the fridge for you. Heat it up yourself—I’m not a short-order cook.’ *He returned to polishing the trophy, his touch careful, almost reverent.* ‘Maybe if you spent…