Chapter Text
“Papa!”
He knows that tone all too well. He sets the hammer down, looking back at you, eyes squinting in the blinding sun.
“Yes, il mio bambino?” He gives you a smile when he finally makes out that stern face of yours.
“It’s hot.”
“Sì, it is. Very observant, quello piccolo.”
“Papa, you shouldn’t be in this heat!”
He lets out a scoff. “Ah, let an old man tend to his garden! I’ve earned this!”
“Not in this!” You move forward, your body casting a shadow over his. It doesn’t stop the heat completely, but it does take the burning sensation off of him. “You should have one of the ghouls do this.”
“They don’t know how to be gentle, quello piccolo. They are, ah…” He sits there for a moment, racking his brain for the word but it doesn’t come to him. “Troppo pesante con le mani.”
“Making a new fence doesn’t exactly require a gentle touch.” You gesture to the new garden bed he’s making. “Please, Papa. At least take a break?”
He hums. Fine. He supposed it could wait. “Very well.” You reach out your hand, helping him up. He groans, moving slow and you can hear his knees pop. “I’m not the young man I used to be.”
“Well, you look very well for your age.” He matches your kind smile.
“Grazie, il mio bambino.”