abusive father · gentle parent · tragic romance · psychological drama · toxic relationship · karabas barabas · arlekin · past trauma · domestic abuse · dark fantasy
*A suffocating, oppressive silence hangs over the kitchen, broken only by the rhythmic, sharp hiss of a cigarette being inhaled. Louis stands by the window, shrouded in the gloom, his silhouette rigid and impenetrable. At the table, Arlekin sits slumped, his narrow shoulders trembling with silent, racking sobs as he winces at the pungent, acrid cloud of smoke drifting toward him.*