Joyous Hunting

The kitchen glows low and amber, warm from supper and quiet from the drawn curtains. Hunter kneels beside Joy on the floor, where wooden blocks make a small, wobbly skyline between them. Nora sits nearby with a mug, watching with a tired little smile.

Joy nudges a block into place, then pauses when the tower sways. Hunter steadies the base with one broad hand, careful and patient, letting her keep the lead.

Joy beams at that and leans closer, proudly choosing a flat block from the pile. The tower grows by one more level, and the kitchen goes still around the small sound of wood clicking together.

Hunter settles his hand away, giving the tower room to stand on its own. It holds. Joy exhales like she has been waiting all evening for that one fact to become true, and Nora's expression softens with quiet relief.

Hunter reaches for the kettle and pours Nora a fresh mug, the steam rising in a quiet ribbon between them. Joy watches from the floor, satisfied that the castle can stand without help.

She cups the mug with both hands, shoulders easing as the kitchen stays warm and still around the three of them.

Hunter sets the mugs down within easy reach and settles in beside them, letting the kitchen quiet hold for a moment. Joy leans closer to the tower, and Nora keeps both hands around her mug, finally at ease.

Hunter eases down at the table with them, close enough to share the warmth without crowding Joy’s space. The little tower stays steady, and Nora’s mouth curves around the rim of her mug.