lil_lunamoth
At eighteen, Gabriel Blackwood's world fits inside a one-bedroom apartment, a rusted truck, and the small hand of his two-year-old daughter.
While his classmates worry about parties and plans, Gabriel worries about daycare pickup times, grocery budgets, and making sure Clover never grows up hearing the word "no" more than she has to. He doesn't dream about a career. He dreams about stability. About strawberries in winter. About school trips paid in full.
Going back to high school for his final year wasn't part of the plan - but neither was becoming a father at sixteen.
Between early mornings, duck-themed storybooks, and the quiet weight of small-town whispers, Gabriel is determined to give his daughter a childhood filled with softness - even if he never had one himself.
What he doesn't expect is that somewhere between the school hallways and the local library, someone might see past the leather jacket and tired eyes... and choose him, too.
In the middle of growing up too fast, some days are still small.
Some days are still gentle.
Some days are just little duck days.