Melpomene || H.G

𝟷𝟸: ʀᴇᴠᴇʀɪᴇ (𝟷/𝟻)

Word Count: 3,609

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A home was more than just a structure or a place where a person lived; it was more of a sanctuary and four walls filled with the happiest moments of anyone's life. To the seven-year-old Son Eunwoo, the home was a universe of endless exploration and adventure where magic resided. Her room was a kingdom filled with stuffed animals that were loyal subjects and an imagination that knew no bounds.

It was a sunny afternoon as Eunwoo wiggled in her seat, her body full of restless energy. The savory aroma of her mother's cooking filled the house, yet her mind was far from lunch. Eunwoo wanted to be out of the house to play outside or use her bike to roam around, but her mother advised her to eat first before she could do the fun activities she wanted.

Nunu, her beloved Pygmy Puff, seemed to sense her impatience. The tiny creature rubbed her soft head against her neck, eliciting an adorable giggle from her owner. Eunwoo's hand instinctively reached up to scratch Nunu's body, feeling the creature's velvety fur. Despite the ticklish sensation, she could not help but smile.

Eunwoo placed Nunu on a palm-sized bed she and her father had created before she started running around the house to get her toys from the other room. The energy in her little body was at its peak. The seven-year-old ran to collect the mess she made until her thin arms were full of toys, causing her not to see what was in front of her properly and clumsily walking.

"Careful, my Eunwoo," Eunseok, her father, said as he took some of the toys from Eunwoo's arms. "You'll get hurt if a vase falls from your head."

"Sorry, appa..." Eunwoo apologized with an innocent smile.

"It's okay, aegi. What matters is that you're not hurt," Eunseok responded, and he could not help but smile at how adorable his only child was.

Eunseok ruffled his daughter's hair before his vacant hand enveloped Eunwoo's small one, a comforting warmth that spread through her. His fingers were rough from his work of being an Auror, a stark contrast to the softness of her skin, yet the connection felt undeniably secure. Eunwoo could not help but steal glances at her father.

"Appa, why are you not in your bed? I saw you were still hurt yesterday, and you had difficulty standing up for a few minutes," Eunwoo asked curiously while his father helped her put her toys on the long couch inside her bedroom.

"I'm okay now; your daddy is strong," Eunseok reassured her as he showed a tough yet still gentle expression. "Do you want to check?"

Eunwoo giggled as her father scooped her up, her small body fitting perfectly against his strong frame. The world tilted and spun as she was lifted off the ground, her legs dangling freely. It was a familiar, comforting sensation, a moment of pure joy that banished Eunseok's worries. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her face nuzzled into the crook of his shoulder.

She felt a wave of pride as her father held her aloft. Eunseok's height of 6'2 provided her with a thrilling perspective when he carried her to sit on his shoulder. She could see over the tops of furniture, her gaze sweeping across the room with the familiar sense of freedom. His broad shoulders and strong arms were a comforting fortress, an incredibly safe harbor.