i cried, because it's all i ever wanted.

a real family.

a family that

has arguments

but ultimately they're just squabbles, and they can overcome it healthily

not arguments where you're left hardened, traumatized, exhausted, and fed up with one another.

i don't want a family like that.

i want a family where there's laughing, music, games, art, and fun, and everyone is happy, despite the ups and downs of life.

and i got to experience that.

i got to experience what it's like...

to have a real family.

and i want it to be real.

i want to be a part of that family.

is it wrong to want that?

is it intruding?

i should just stay in my own lane, right?

but i want to feel that real happiness

like that blind joy i felt when i was younger.

and then, as i held your hand, tears trickled down my face.

as i gazed into that old, flickering light.

because this, this was all i ever wanted.