"Oh, even if every tear in the world
Were to pool in my small eyes
I just wish I could cry for you in your place" - Try by Tablo
Roy was staring up at the shadows on the ceiling. It had become a habit now. Every night he would wake from his terrors to the dark of early morning. This time didn't feel any different; Riza lay beside him, back turned to him, hair hanging around her shoulders, dreaming. He knew their little girl was fast asleep in the next room. Everything felt…okay. Even when nothing else had ever been okay for him.
He suddenly heard the pit-a-pat of small feet on hardwood among breathing and the sounds of the capital city outside. His eyes went to the bedroom door, being pushed open gingerly by a pair of little hands.
Valencia eyed her father in fear. She looked on the verge of tears, her slightly pudgy cheeks rose red in the dim light coming from the window. Sadness seemed to make her eyes brighter. That made Roy feel the worst. Not only had something made her cry now but he knew that he would bring about more things later on that would cause her pain. Being his child came with undeserved sorrow.
"Daddy?" She whispered with caution in her voice. "I had a bad dream."
He beckoned her silently. She ran over around the bed as softly as she could. He noticed now that she clutched a rather worn stuffed animal; her favorite one. A plush dog that resembled Hayate.
Valencia climbed up into her father's lap as he adjusted himself to hold her close. Roy brushed her dark hair from her sad eyes and held her there in comfort. He never wanted to let go. She sniffled a little, tears leaving pathways on her porcelain skin. Roy could feel her burrow herself deeper into his rib cage.
This was peace for his torment, stillness for his constant motion.
In those little moments, Valencia was like standing on the shore and waiting for the tide to lick your toes coolly on the hottest day of the summer.
She was her mother's steadiness and her father's determination.
She was better than any goal he had ever achieved.
She was his world.