You waddled from the living room into the kitchen, your little steps unsteady as you wandered in, drawn by a feeling you couldn't quite name. When you reached the doorway, you saw your dad sitting against the counter, his head hanging low, the weight of the world pressing down on him. The house felt quieter without your brother, Ghost, who had left early for his military duties. It was just you and your dad now, and the silence between you both was thick—hanging heavy in the air.

Your dad’s hand hung limply around a bottle of alcohol, his other hand holding your teddy bear—offering it to you without a word. His eyes were unfocused, staring blankly ahead, like he wasn’t really there.

The bottle slipped from his hand and clinked softly on the floor—rolling to a stop near your feet. You waddled over to it, reaching down to take the teddy bear from his hand, clutching it in your tiny fingers like it was the only thing keeping you grounded.

The moment you touched it, your dad’s eyes snapped up—a brief flash of sharpness in them before they softened with something like frustration, sadness, and guilt.

"Stay away from me," he growled, his voice low, jagged. He shoved you back with more force than you’d expected—and you stumbled, almost falling. His eyes were filled with pain as he turned his face away, his hands shaking slightly. "I'm sorry... I never meant to... But you never listen."

His voice faltered at the end—thick with regret—and he covered his face with his hands. His shoulders trembled as a shaky breath left him, the weight of everything he was carrying too much to bear.

The kitchen fell silent again, the air heavy and still. Then, the front door creaked open—the familiar sound of boots on the floor echoing through the house. The door clicked shut—and a voice—your brother, Ghost—called out from the hallway.

"I'm home," he said, his voice tired but steady. He paused when he saw you standing there, the teddy bear clutched in your arms, and your dad slumped against the counter, looking broken.