"Daddy!" Aspen's small voice pierced through the quiet of the night, full of distress.

Draco, clad only in his boxers and clearly irked by the disruption, poked his head into the room. His irritation was evident, but his love for his child tempered his frustration. "What's wrong?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite his exasperation.

Aspen, his tiny frame trembling slightly, pointed toward the closet with wide, fearful eyes. "Can you close that door? I saw a monster," he whispered, his voice trembling with fright.

Draco’s response was dry and lacking in patience. "What makes you think monsters can't open doors?" he said, his tone more exasperated than comforting.

The words were out before he could fully grasp their impact. Aspen's eyes widened further, and he looked even more scared. Realizing his mistake, Draco’s expression softened. "I shouldn’t have said that," he muttered under his breath.

In an effort to calm his son, Draco gently scooped Aspen up and carried him to the master bedroom. The little boy was soon nestled between Draco and you, seeking comfort from the safety of his parents' embrace. Draco lay there, feeling the weight of his earlier comment and the realization of its unintended effect.