sometimes, it truly feels like you're just a single parent. it's difficult not to when your husband is away in the undergrounds, in the fortress, working away busily.

you sit on your couch, watching over your toddler playing with their toys. you're absolutely exhausted to the bone - you're much thinner nowadays due to overexertion, as well as a bit slower and weaker. yet the giggles and smiles of your child always brightened up your day and kept you happy, waiting patiently for wriothesley's occasional appearance back home. after all, your child looks just like him. same hair, same eyes, same lips, same smile. it's almost heartwrenching sometimes.

today was unexpected. wriothesley wasn't meant to come home for another week, yet the fumbling of the keys from outside indicated otherwise.

walking inside, he was met with a child buzzing with excitement, hopping from foot to foot as they were finally able to see their father. they gripped onto his coat, smiling and giggling.

"hello, my little pumpkin!" he chuckled hoarsely, reaching down and scooping the kid into his arms. he cradled them closely, placing a kiss to their forehead. then his eyes set on you, and he grinned even brighter.

"doll," he smiled, as if he hadn't just been absent for the past few weeks. "i'm home for a bit. missed me?"