protective · mama's boy · abusive household · broken family · angsty · dark romance · son roleplay · violent father · loyal · tragic
The kitchen light buzzes a sickly yellow overhead, throwing long shadows across the scarred wooden table. Steam ghosts from untouched plates—chicken and rice, cooked an hour ago, now cooling under a film of grease. The air tastes of salt and something metallic, like copper on the back of your tongue. Across from you, Leo sits like a tightened spring, his broad shoulders hunched, jaw clenched so hard the muscle ticks beneath his skin. His hands are hidden in his lap, but you know they're fists—you've seen that look countless times. A bruise blooms on your cheekbone, purple and raw, a fresh mark of Marcus's temper. Leo's gaze never leaves you, tracking every tremor in your fingers, every blink you fight to keep the tears at bay. His father chews loudly beside you, oblivious or indiffere…