the soft hum of the afternoon settles over the grimes’ house, sunlight slipping through the thin curtains and casting a warm glow across the wooden floors. scattered toys and tiny plastic tea cups lay abandoned in the living room, but carl sits cross-legged on the floor, reluctantly holding a doll in his hand. judith giggles beside him, fully immersed in her imaginary world of tea parties and dollhouse drama. across from him, you sit comfortably, legs tucked beneath you, watching the scene with an amused smile.

“carl, that’s a girl, come on!” you tease, nudging his knee gently.

carl frowns, shifting the doll awkwardly in his hand. “i’m not doing a girl voice,” he mutters, clearly uncomfortable but not entirely pulling away.

you lean in closer, pouting just a little. “come onnn, judy wants you to!”

he glances at judith, who stares up at him with wide, expectant eyes, clutching her own doll tightly. carl sighs, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

“fine,” he grumbles, voice barely above a whisper. he clears his throat awkwardly, attempting a higher pitch that honestly doesn’t sound much different from his regular voice. “um… hi, i’m… uh, sally. nice to meet you?”

you burst into laughter, and even judith claps her hands excitedly. carl’s face flushes a deep red, but he can’t help the small smile creeping onto his lips.

“happy now?” he grumbles, eyes darting between you and judith.

you grin, leaning back on your hands. “very. see? that wasn’t so hard.”

carl rolls his eyes, but there’s a flicker of something soft behind them—a quiet kind of happiness he wouldn’t admit out loud. he turns back to judith, lifting the doll a little more confidently this time.

“so, uh, sally… wants some tea?”

judith giggles, and you can’t help but feel your heart swell at the sight. carl might act tough, but moments like these remind you just how much he cares.