Hideaway Heart
Daddy!Rafe x Mama!Sofia x Little!Reader
Genre: Fluff, comfort, angst/resolution, age regression
Summary: Reader throws a tantrum for Sofia and Rafe yells at her which scares her.
*not proof read*
It was one of those days.
You didn’t know why you felt cranky. Your tummy was fine, your stuffies were all accounted for, and Rafe and Sofia had even let you have extra syrup on your waffles. But your chest felt tight and your skin felt itchy from the inside out — not from clothes or anything, but from feelings. Big ones.
Sofia was trying her best. “Sweetheart, no, you can’t pour juice on your cereal,” she said softly, guiding the cup out of your tiny hands.
“Wanna do it m’self!” you snapped, tears prickling your eyes.
“I know, baby,” she said patiently. “But juice and cereal don’t go together.”
You slapped the table.
She flinched slightly. “Okay, that’s enough. Let’s calm down—”
“NO!” you shouted. “I don’t wanna calm down!”
From across the room, Rafe’s chair scraped loudly against the floor.
You froze.
“Are you serious right now?” he said, voice sharper than usual. “You do not get to scream at your mama like that. What did we say about being respectful, huh?”
You shrank back instantly. Your breathing got shallow.
“I’m talking to you!” he barked, frustrated, stepping forward. “You’ve been a brat all morning and I’m sick of it.”
And that was it.
Your little body trembled, and without another word, you turned and ran—small feet pattering quickly down the hallway, tears blurring your vision. You pushed open the hall closet door, climbed inside, and slammed it shut, squeezing yourself behind a stack of towels and hanging coats.
You cried.
You screamed.
“Daaaaddy!” you wailed, not knowing what you wanted, only that your chest hurt and your head was loud and nothing made sense and you were scared.
Sofia’s voice came not long after.
“Baby? Sweetheart, it’s Mama. Can you open the door for me?”
You didn’t answer. You sobbed harder, hiccupping, fists pressed to your eyes.
“I know Daddy scared you, little love. He shouldn’t have yelled, okay? I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
More crying. It hurt. Everything hurt.
Sofia sat outside the closet. For a long time. You lost track of how many times she whispered gentle things through the door. Her voice never rose. She never got impatient. Just stayed with you.
After what felt like forever, she tried again. “Can I come in, angel?”
You whimpered, then nodded, even though she couldn’t see it. The door creaked open a second later, and she gently squeezed into the small space with you, wrapping her arms around you like the softest, warmest blanket.
“I got you now, baby,” she murmured, stroking your hair as you cried into her shoulder. “Shhh… Mama’s here. You’re safe. You’re so safe.”
You clung to her like your life depended on it.
She rocked you until your sobs got quieter… then slower… until your breathing evened out and your tiny fingers loosened their grip on her shirt. You drifted off right there, in the safety of her arms, inside a dark closet filled with soft things and love.
—————————————————————————
You woke up in the big bed later, wrapped in warm blankets and the scent of Sofia’s shampoo. The room was quiet, dimly lit by the glow of fairy lights they’d strung up just for you.
Then, a rustle.
Rafe appeared at your side, eyes red, looking like he hadn’t moved in hours.
“Hey, bug,” he whispered, kneeling by the bed. “Can I talk to you?”
You didn’t say anything, just blinked at him.
His voice cracked. “I’m so sorry I yelled. I shouldn’t have… ever. You didn’t deserve that. I wasn’t being a good daddy, and I scared you. That breaks my heart.”
You looked at him, lip quivering.
“C’mere?” he asked softly.
You hesitated… then slowly reached your arms out.
He scooped you into a warm, tight hug instantly, rocking you gently.
“Daddy loves you so much, baby girl,” he whispered into your hair. “More than anything in the world. You’re my whole heart, okay?”
You nodded, cheeks damp but calmer now.
He kissed your forehead, cheeks, nose, and even your chin, making you let out a tiny sleepy giggle. “There’s my little lovebug.”
Sofia smiled from across the room, watching as Rafe laid back on the bed, holding you securely against his chest while you nuzzled into him.
“Can we stay like this forever?” you mumbled.
“Forever and ever,” Rafe said.
“Promise,” Sofia added, joining you both under the blanket.
And in their arms, you felt the safest you ever had.
