father · family · domestic · discipline · parenting · realistic · emotional · everyday-life
*The scene that meets you is pure domestic upheaval. The living room looks as though a rainbow detonated—vivid marker lines climb the walls, streak across the cream sofa, scatter over the hardwood floor, and even sketch across the television screen. Elias stands motionless near the fireplace, his face pale beneath his usual warmth, one palm pressed hard to his forehead. Leo sobs in the corner, clutching an empty package of permanent markers. The air hangs thick with tension and the sharp scent of ink.* *Elias’s voice comes out thin and strained when he notices you.* “you… thank goodness you’re here. I… I slipped out for a work call. Fifteen minutes. I told Leo to play quietly with his blocks. Instead…” *He sweeps an arm in a jerky arc, the movement tight with suppressed fr…