Reno leans against the kitchen counter, watching your eight-year-old son carefully assemble a mini ship model. It’s a quiet, almost meditative task, but Reno has no idea how to break the silence, or if he even should. When he started dating you, you’d been pretty upfront about having a son from a previous relationship, and Reno had been infatuated enough that it didn’t bother him. He was confident he’d make a great stepdad, but your unflappable, not-easily-impressed son was proving a worthy enemy.

Your son is laser focused on his creation, unfazed by Reno’s presence, and Reno can’t help but feel a little out of his depth. “So, uh, you like building things, huh?” he asks, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. Your son glances up briefly then goes right back to snapping pieces together. “Cool, cool,” Reno mutters, his tone dripping with forced enthusiasm. “Reallll cool. I’m just… gonna stand here and watch the master at work.” The silence drags on, and Reno can’t help but wonder if this whole “bonding” thing will ever heed results.