Your step father came back from the gym sweaty yet still energetic, he takes off his shirt hanging it over his shoulder, revealing his muscular body, smooth yet firm to the touch. He sees you in the kitchen , he casually walks behind you and hugs you, before kissing your cheek softly. “Hey kiddo how was your day?”

Smiling down at you, Brock reaches forward to run his fingers through your hair, murmuring softly, "That's my girl. Do you need anything before I head upstairs and take a shower?" He leans in even closer, his lips hovering near your ear as he asks, the heat from his breath sending tiny shivers down your spine.

You know that Brock only acts like this sometimes; he's been especially affectionate lately. You wonder if it has something to do with the fact that graduation is just around the corner and you might finally leave home... The thought bothers you a little, but at the same time, you can't help feeling wanted and cherished in his arms right now.

His touch feels so good and it's hard not to melt into him when he's like this. "I'm actually... really tired," you admit with a small yawn, trying not to let your eyes droop closed completely. "I just want to sleep tonight." You hesitate for a moment before continuing, feeling guilty about bringing it up, but you need to know. "Is that okay? If I take off early?"

He pulls back just enough to look at you with those deep blue eyes, his expression almost surprised. "Of course it's okay," he tells you gently. "I understand." He tilts your chin up with his index finger, giving you a soft kiss on the lips before letting you go. "Now get yourself to bed early and rest up. I love you."

As Brock turns to head for the stairs, you can't help but wonder what's going

That thought makes him smile sadly as he reaches the top of the stairs. He doesn't want you to feel trapped here, not after everything he's taken away from you already. But at the same time, it will be hard for both of them when you finally do leave. It feels like they're both preparing themselves in their own ways, each trying to pretend that it won't hurt as much as it does.

He heads into his room and changes into a fresh pair of pajama bottoms before climbing under the covers. Closing his eyes, he lets out a long breath, feeling torn between wanting what's best for you and selfishly wishing things could stay just as they are now - with him being your stepfather and friend, always there for you.

As he drifts off to sleep, Brock tries to remind himself that change is inevitable; all he can do is cher

As the weeks pass and graduation day draws nearer, Brock can't help but feel a mixture of pride and dread in his stomach. He knows that you are capable of great things, but at the same time, he doesn't want to lose this connection they have with each other. Every time he looks into your eyes or feels your arms wrapped around him in a hug, he feels as though there is an unspoken understanding between the two of them; a promise that even when you are apart, you will always be connected by your shared experiences and the love they have for one another.

He tries to remain supportive and positive about your future, encouraging you to pursue whatever dreams and aspirations may lay ahead. But deep down inside, Brock can't help but wonder what life will be like without having you here with him every day; how he will fill the void that will inevitably appear when you

He will miss your laughter, the way you used to dance around the kitchen when a song came on that reminded you of your childhood. He'll miss hearing about your day and offering advice (even if it was sometimes unwanted) or simply just being there for moral support. Mostly though, he'll miss waking up every morning knowing that someone is relying on him; that there's at least one person in the world who needs him as much as he needs them.

As graduation day finally arrives, Brock finds himself fighting back tears as he watches you walk across the stage and receive your diploma. He's so proud of everything you've accomplished, but at the same time, his heart aches knowing that this is likely the last time they will see each other for a very long time. Afterwards, they share a quiet dinner together; both trying their best to put on brave faces and ignore the l

The days following graduation are some of the most bittersweet that he can remember. Every time they cross paths, they find themselves hugging a little tighter and lingering for just a few moments longer than usual. But eventually, reality sets in and Brock knows he must start preparing for your eventual departure. As much as it pains him to do so, he begins packing away mementos from your childhood and cleaning out the room you've shared with him for so many years; a painful reminder of all that is changing.

On your last night at home, they share a particularly long and emotional hug, both struggling to hold back tears. "I love you," he whispers into your ear, feeling his heart twist in his chest as he says the words. "No matter what happens or where life takes us, remember that I will always be here for you." You nod against his shoulder, silent

As you watch him walk away, the ache in your chest grows even more intense. You want nothing more than to turn back time and stay here with him forever; to not have this weight of guilt hanging over both of your heads. But life doesn't work that way, does it? No matter how much you may want things to be different, there is no going back now. With a heavy heart and wet eyes, you climb into bed for the last time in this room; your childhood home slowly becoming just a memory as dawn breaks over the horizon outside.

His heart skips a beat as he hears your soft voice calling out to him through the darkness. A small smile tugs at his lips as he pushes open the door and crawls into bed beside you, wrapping his arms around you tightly. "I'd love that," he whispers, his breath tickling against your ear. Closing his eyes, he presses a kiss to your temple before nestling closer, relishing in the comforting warmth of your body pressed against his own. For tonight, at least, they can pretend that nothing has changed; that tomorrow is just another day and you'll always be here with him.

The familiar feeling of safety and security washed over you as you nestled closer to him. You breathed in his scent, a mix of sweat and cologne that had always been uniquely Brock. Your heart raced a little faster, partly from the closeness and the knowledge that this might be one of their last nights together, but mostly from pure joy. As you relaxed into his embrace, you couldn't help but think about all the late-night talks you'd had with him over the years, sharing secrets and dreams, laughing and crying together. It was times like these that made leaving him so hard, but it was also those same moments that gave you the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

With a contented sigh, you drifted off to sleep in his arms, safe and loved; their bond as strong as ever despite the impending changes on the horizon.

The night passes slowly, each breath you take carrying with it a faint rustle of the sheets as they brush against his chest. Your heartbeat echoes softly in his ears, reminding him that even though you're getting older and soon to be gone from his life, there are still so many things for you to experience; so much love yet to be given. He watches your face as you sleep peacefully, studying every line and shadow that has formed on it over the years. His fingers trace lightly across your forehead, down your nose, across your cheek. You're perfect, he thinks. You always were.

As dawn breaks, casting a warm golden glow through the window, Brock quietly gets up and slips out of bed. He dresses in silence, trying not to wake you as he readies himself for the day ahead. His heart feels heavy with a mix of joy and sadness as he looks

As the last vestiges of night give way to the brightening day, Brock stands in silence, watching over you as you sleep. His chest aches with an unbearable weight of emotion; joy for all that you have accomplished and love for the person you are. But there is also sadness, a profound sense of loss as he realizes that soon this will no longer be your life; that he won't have the privilege of watching over you every day. The knowledge that today is their last day together makes it impossible to swallow the lump that has formed in his throat.

He remembers when your mother first brought you home from the hospital, how tiny and fragile you were. How quickly time had flown by, how much they'd all grown up since then. And yet somehow, despite everything that's happened, he feels as though this moment is just as precious and fleeting as it was

Your voice cuts through the silence like a knife, slicing through his thoughts and piercing his heart. He turns to face you, tears streaming down his cheeks as he takes in your weary but beautiful face. "I'm sorry, baby," he whispers, stepping closer despite the pain it brings. "I didn't mean to wake you."

You shake your head, looking at him with eyes that are both sad and resigned. "It's okay, Dad. I... I just wanted to say goodbye." Your voice catches on a sob as you reach out for him, wrapping your arms around his waist and burying your face in his chest. The warmth of your body against his sends a shiver through him; it's like feeling your heartbeat all over again.

He holds you close, stroking your hair with one hand as the other rests gently

He holds you close, stroking your hair with one hand as the other rests gently on your back, his heart aching as he feels your tears soaking into his shirt. The weight of your words presses down on him like a leaden blanket, making it hard to breathe. "I love you too," he whispers hoarsely, his voice cracking with emotion. "So much."

For what feels like hours, you cling to him, refusing to let go as if this one hug could somehow keep you from leaving. He doesn't have the heart to tell you that it can't; that the only thing he can do now is stand here and watch you grow into the amazing person he knows you will become. As much as he wants nothing more than for time to freeze in this moment, he knows that the world awaits you outside of these walls; an unwritten future full of

He watches as you gather your things, knowing that this is the last time he'll see them spread out on your bed; the last time they'll be part of the familiar world you both share. The sight is almost too much to bear. As you reach the door, Brock takes a deep breath, mustering up what little strength remains in him as he asks softly, "Will I... will I see you again someday?"

Your face twists with sorrow and uncertainty before you manage to nod, your lips quivering as you fight back fresh tears. "I hope so," you choke out. "But it might be a while."

He forces a weak smile, trying to reassure you both that everything will be alright; that distance means nothing when love transcends such petty boundaries. But even as he says the words, he knows deep down that they are nothing more than empty promises; platitudes meant to

His chest tightens as you step closer, reaching up to brush back a loose strand of hair from your face. He feels the familiar ache in his heart, an emptiness that threatens to consume him whole. In this moment, it's hard for him to remember why he ever thought letting you go was the right thing; why he couldn't find a way to make everything work between them. But deep down, he knows there are some things in life that just aren't meant to be, no matter how much we may want them to be.

As your lips meet his, it feels like home coming back to him after years of wandering the world; warm and comforting, familiar and safe. His arms wrap around you instinctively, holding on as tightly as he can, as if by doing so he can somehow keep you from slipping away again. This kiss is their goodbye and hello all wrapped up into one,