written in scars || father lrh (au)

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I awoke to the gentle, wavering scent of what appeared to be breakfast. Oh gosh, it must've all been a horrible dream. Dahlia has to be downstairs. I rushed off my feet and into the kitchen after putting on the closest shirt, Green Day imprinted on it's tee-shape.

But what I saw wasn't Dahlia. Instead, I saw a young girl perched on a chair as she manoeuvred her petite frame to stir or flip the different breakfast elements. My young girl. Leilani.

"What are you doing, kid, eh?" I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, running my hand through my hair and pushing it back. Slowly, Leilani turned with a petrified expression.

"I-I-I'm sorry, I'm just u-used to it because it's what he always expecte-"

"He?" I interrupted. She gulped.

"The m-man I had to stay with before." Leilani teared up.

"Leilani," I spoke sternly, "Is he the reason you're scared?"

She trembled, then turned back without another word. I sighed.

"Eila, you need to tell me." She froze.

"Y-Yes." She turned, her lively eyes dancing until they landed on me, a small smile present.

"What's the smile for, kid?"

"You called me Eila..." She turned back, stirring, but I could practically feel the grin radiating from her.
I grumbled beneath my breath to hide my small smile, mumbling, "Don't get used to it."

I made myself some coffee and plopped down on the sofa. I braced my fingertips lightly to my glebella {bridge of his nose kinda area thing ye}. I was exhausted. I was confused. I was still grieving. But, most of all, I was scared. I was scared I'd fail another person, and that be my own daughter. I didn't know what to do anymore.

"L-Luke?" I looked up into her eyes as I zoned back into reality and put my coffee down beside me on the oak table. I sat straight, facing her again, and was handed a plate full with bacon, eggs, toast, sausages and even a muffin at the brim of the plate.
I looked up at her wordlessly, lips pressed to a thin line. I suddenly took in her frame, and how small and thin she was.

"Leilani?" I uttered, brows pressed together.

"Hmm?"

"Who was he?"

She visibly gulped. "I don't know. He never told me after my am-amnesia." She stuttered, as if contemplating her pronunciation. " I don't even remember my mother."
I looked down. Leilani definitely had Dahlia's skin tone - that of olive. I nodded slowly.

"And, uh, where's your breakfast?" I questioned, eyebrows lifting slightly as I gestured to the plate she still held.

"W-What do you mean?" She tilted her head. What do I mean? What do you mean? {I swear the Bieber references in my books are honestly unintentional I don't even really like his music at all}

"Your breakfast." I repeated.

"I don't have one..." She spoke, voice laced with confusion.

I frowned. "And why is that?"

"I never have before." She shrugged. My eyes widened slightly.

"Come here a minute, kid." I spoke, placing the plate on the table as I took it from her. I felt her sides, and upon noticing her slight wincing, made my touch gentler.
She was practically skin and bone, and I could feel every point in which her ribs and spine stuck out. I stared at her in bewilderment.

"Sit." I instructed, placing the plate on my lap. Leilani did so, and I noticed her consciously tucking herself into her thin jumper as she shivered. I frowned.

"Eat this - all of it - and wait here, I'll be right back.
She looked as if she might refuse me, but then she shook her head as if dismissing the thought to even dare. I made sure she began to eat before leaving the room and marching upstairs.

So, not only did this 'distant relative' evidently hurt my daughter, but he prevented her from eating too. Great. Fantastic. More to worry about right now. As if the kid alone wasn't enough.

Sighing in a grumbly and exasperated manner, I raided my closet aimlessly. Eventually, I found an adequate sweater. It was black, and that kind of material that was thick and warm without making you stuffy and sweaty.

Taking my phone from my charger atop the bedside table, I jogged back down the stairs. It was obvious that Leilani had been hungry, as she had already demolished half of the plate's contents.

"Kid, c'mere." Leilani slid the plate onto the table and slowly proceeded towards me. She watched in curiosity as I gently tugged the sweater down on her shoulders and around her frame. It came down to her mid-shins, causing me to chuckle softly.

"Keep it. This winter's bitter." And as my cowardly self always did, I left the room.