The day began quietly, almost deceptively so. Ethan woke to the faint hum of the city outside, the usual sounds of tires, birds, and distant footsteps. Noah lay beside him for a moment, still half-asleep, murmuring something incoherent about airplanes. Ethan smiled softly, watching the small rise and fall of his chest, letting the calm settle in.
Breakfast was simple. Noah was unusually quiet, pushing cereal around his bowl instead of eating. Ethan noticed the tension immediately but did not comment. He knew that some feelings needed time before they could be named, and some worries were too small to burden a child with words.
“Something on your mind, buddy?” he asked gently.
Noah looked up, eyes serious. “I… I’m worried today,” he admitted softly.
“About what?” Ethan asked, sitting be
