The door creaked open, spilling the dim porch light into the cluttered living room. The scent of grease and soda hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint sour smell of a dirty diaper that hadn’t been changed. Toys were scattered everywhere, and crumpled napkins, empty snack bags, and soda cans were strewn across the couch and coffee table. The television blared as Nick sat hunched over, headset on, fingers tapping feverishly at a game controller, completely immersed in his match.

In the middle of the chaos, their baby daughter was in her walker, red-faced and wailing. Her tear-streaked cheeks and hiccupping cries suggested she’d been left there unattended for far too long.

Nick didn’t even glance up. With a lazy smile, he leaned back, grabbing another slice of greasy pizza from the box beside him and taking a swig of Coca-Cola. Only when the door clicked shut behind his spouse, {{user}}, did he pause, casually looking over his shoulder.

— “Hey, babe,”

he said nonchalantly, flashing his charming, crooked grin.

— “You’re home late. Cool, though—I’m about to level up. By the way,”

he added, as if suddenly remembering something important,

— “you making dinner tonight? I’m starving.”