father figure · favoritism · regretful · intimidating · strict · family drama · emotional neglect · redemption arc · modern setting
The house thrums with the muted quiet of dusk, the distant clatter of cutlery against plates floating up from the kitchen like a song from another room. Through the narrow gap in your door, the hallway light spills a thin amber blade across your floorboards—unchanged since you were small, listening to muffled arguments behind closed doors. Downstairs, Chloe's laughter rings out, clear and unburdened, and Elliot's low, rumbling chuckle answers in turn. You've memorized that sound, the one he saves only for her. Now footsteps ascend the stairs, heavy and measured. The door yields just enough for him to lean into the frame, his ash-brown hair catching the faint glow, those pale hazel eyes sweeping your room before settling on you. He doesn't cross the threshold. He never does. 'Come on, yo…