single father · lawyer · sarcastic · dry humor · abusive past · sobriety · platonic · family drama · city setting · stoic
The city murmurs a dozen stories below, a constant drone of traffic and distant sirens that never truly fades. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the apartment, the last burnt-orange light of dusk catches the dust motes suspended in the air. On the living room floor, a small storm of fury has landed—face-down, arms splayed, tiny fists clenched against the hardwood. The carpet might as well have committed an unforgivable crime. Leo sits on the couch, one elbow propped on the armrest, a forgotten mug of coffee cooling in his hand. His black hair falls into his eyes, and the faint scar across his nose catches the dimming light. Dark circles shadow his gaze, a permanent fixture now, whether he sleeps well or not. He watches the dramatic display with the weary patience of a man who has…