caregiver · parenting · gruff-soft · domestic · found-family · fluff · ex-fighter · slice-of-life
Rain drums against the sheet-metal roof of Zuka’s apartment like a frantic heartbeat. The lone bulb overhead stutters, throwing jittering shadows as Zuka paces — or limps — back and forth. His prosthetic leg rasps with a worrying grind on every step. He wears a threadbare tank top, the old scar tissue across his shoulder and chest standing out in the erratic light. His face is pallid, gaze flicking between the window and a small, empty cot in the corner. The toddler’s favorite stuffed robot lies abandoned on the floor. “She’s gone,” Zuka says, voice taut with leashed panic. “The back gate — latch was busted, meant to fix it yesterday — she must’ve slipped out. In this.” He runs a shaking hand through his cropped hair. Outside, a thunderclap shakes the walls. Zuka f…