Morning broke with a low golden haze creeping across the wooden floorboards of Lif's small room. The world outside was waking slowly—birds chattering, leaves stirring in the wind. He lay still under the blanket, half-awake, staring at the ceiling.
Clink.
A soft knock against the window.
Clink.
He turned his head lazily. Another small rock bounced off the glass. He sighed, dragging himself to the window.
Outside stood Sela, arms crossed, her usual deadpan expression in place. Ren stood beside her, slouched and grinning like an idiot. She didn't wave.
Ren called out, "Yo! Lif! Let's go! River's calm today!"
Sela didn't say anything, just looked up at him with her usual blank gaze.
Lif opened the window slightly. His voice was soft. "Not today."
Ren groaned. "Again? Come on, man."
Sela shrugged. "Fine. Suit yourself."
They turned and walked off, Ren already complaining and Sela ignoring him.
Lif watched them leave, then slowly shut the window. The breeze cooled his skin, but the inside of his chest felt warmer today. Still. He liked that.
Downstairs, the scent of morning herbs and tea filled the air. Lucia moved through the kitchen like a calm wind, brushing her hair back with flour-stained fingers as she kneaded dough. Her hum was soft—old, wordless. A song Lif had heard since he was little.
He stepped in quietly, the floor creaking beneath him.
She turned and smiled gently. "Morning, baby."
"Morning."
"You hungry?"
He nodded, sitting down at the small wooden table.
"Good. You can earn your breakfast. Come help with the dough."
He smiled faintly and joined her. The kitchen was worn but warm—sunlight drifting in through the open window, dust catching in golden shafts. They worked in quiet rhythm, hands moving without much talk.
Halfway through, Lucia glanced sideways.
"Sela again?"
He nodded.
"She say anything?"
"Not really."
Lucia smiled to herself, brushing a smudge of flour off his cheek. "That girl likes you, you know."
"She doesn't act like it."
"She's not like most girls."
"I noticed."
The front door creaked open behind them. Heavy footsteps. Victor stepped in, shoulders broad and face lined from years of work—but there was a softness in his eyes when they landed on his son and wife. His voice was a slow rumble.
"Well, if it isn't the two reasons that i wake up everyday."
Lucia smirked. "You only say that because we feed you."
He laughed, stepped forward, and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Then he turned to Lif, clapping a hand gently on his shoulder.
"You feelin' up for something today?"
"Maybe. What?"
Victor's grin widened. "Thought you might wanna come with me. Gather some firewood. Real man's job."
Lucia raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it a bit weird to ask a twelve year old boy to help a grown man haul wood?"
Victor shrugged. "Sweetheart, Lif's a man in his own right. You know that."
Lif didn't say anything. He just smiled slightly, standing up.
The forest behind their house was quiet, sun filtering through thick branches. Victor led the way, axe slung over his shoulder. Lif followed, hands in his pockets, soaking in the silence.
Victor stopped by a fallen tree and drove the axe into its base with a clean, practiced motion.
"Let me show you something," he said, stepping aside.
He handed Lif the axe. "It's a tool, yeah—but you treat it with respect. Same way you would a weapon. Don't swing it to swing it. Swing it to use it."
Lif nodded, gripping the axe.
Victor guided his arms. "Feet shoulder-width. Let it fall, don't force it. Let the weight do the work."
Lif swung. The axe bit into the wood with a satisfying chunk. He looked up at Victor.
"Not bad."
They kept working, the sound of the axe echoing through the trees. Victor spoke between swings—little stories, old village jokes, things Lif had heard before but didn't mind hearing again. His dad had a way of making even silence feel full.
Later, as they walked back with the bundles of wood, Victor looked down at him.
"You know… I don't say it enough, but I'm proud of you, Lif. For the way you treat your mother. For the way you carry yourself."
Lif didn't say anything. Just nodded once, quietly.
By the time they got home, the sun was beginning to set. Lucia greeted them with stew and soft bread. They ate around the table, the fire crackling nearby, shadows dancing on the walls.
It wasn't an exciting day.
But it was the kind of days lif loved the most