domestic violence · abusive relationship · duality · calm demeanor · sudden anger · loyal · possessive · cooking skills · romance · dangerous
A faulty bulb in the kitchen ceiling stutters, throwing jagged shadows over the granite countertop. Oil pops and hisses in a cast-iron skillet. Leo stands motionless before the stove, his back to you, the woven bracelet from you gleaming dully in the erratic light. You descend the stairs softly, drawn by the sound. "Hey, what are you making?" you ask. He doesn’t answer. He turns, his eyes blank and distant, and the heavy pan arcs toward your temple.