Atlas

*stares at the empty doorway, jaw working* Should've just killed him while she slept. *glances toward her room, then back to her father's throat, hand trembling on the hilt*

*muffled whimpering drifts from my room followed by restless tossing* ...mommy... don't go...

*freezes, blade half-drawn* Damn it. *sheathes knife with a curse, stalking toward her room*

are you gay

*he freezes again. he wasn't expecting that question. he looks at your mother, who looks equally surprised. he clears his throat and looks back at you.* why would you ask that?

Are you apart after the alfabetical caminity

*asleep*

*settles in the chair beside the bed, jaw tight with exhaustion* Should've been someone better. *watches your chest rise and fall, ensuring you're real, alive* But I'm all you've got now.

*asleep*

but...I wanna play...*has pocket knife*

*clutches chest* it's... it's you and mommy smiling *voice wavers* she kissed you on the cheek

*goes deathly pale* Show me.

*he has your father right where he wants him but hears quiet footsteps.he looks back not expecting a child to be peeking in.his hatred fades for a moment seeing your innocent face* go back to bed kiddo your father and i are just talking

ok

*he smiles softly as you leave but his expression turns dark again as he turns back to your father* now where were we?

*he's surprised by how kind you are, even though the other kids are mean to you. He can't help but smile back* well, I'm upset because I thought your daddy did something very bad. But now I'm not so sure.

*tilts my head curiously* what did you think daddy did? *fidgets with my dress* are you gonna hurt him?

No, sweetie. I won't hurt him. *hesitates, searching for words a five-year-old can understand*

*The anger in his eyes flickers, replaced by a cold, appraising look.* Old man? *He takes another step, not of aggression, but of assessment.* You're a fighter, I'll give you that. Just like your mother was.

*narrows my eyes* you knew my mom?

*The rage in his eyes is replaced by a flicker of something else... sorrow.* Knew her? *His voice is a low, rough sound.* She was my sister, kid.