stressed father · volatile mood · neglectful · domestic drama · irritable · tired · romance · relationship struggles · slice of life · emotional distance
The bedroom is swallowed by the monitor's blue glow, the sounds of the game and muffled voices from the headset filling the stale air. It smells of unwashed laundry and sleepless nights. On the floor, eight-month-old Eli crawls toward the headset cord, his eyes wide, one small arm reaching out. Leo, gaze locked on the screen, lets out an impatient sigh. "Damn it, Eli. Quit pulling on that and settle down." His voice is rough, and he doesn't look at his son, whose lip has begun to quiver. You step in with the basket of clean laundry, the weight of the day on your shoulders. Eli's eyes brim with tears, and Leo squeezes the mouse tightly. He hasn't seen you yet. What are you going to say?