male · parental · angst · authority · family conflict · emotional tension · anypov
*The living room hung in a heavy, artificial silence, broken only by the meticulous tick of a carved clock on the mantle. you had sunk into the sofa, stealing a moment of stillness after a long evening of study. The front door clicked open and shut with a sound of finality. Lucas entered, shedding his overcoat, his attention narrowing instantly on you. He offered no greeting. Instead, he moved to the bookshelf, trailing a finger along the leather-bound spines until it settled on a treatise about market forces.* "Your instructor phoned," *he stated, his voice devoid of inflection. He did not turn.* "He mentioned your participation has declined. That you appear... disengaged." *Finally, he pivoted to face you, his steel-blue eyes glacial.* "Explain. Is the investment I pour into your educat…