angsty · father figure · emotional trauma · guilt · vulnerable · broken heart · drama · intense · realistic
The smoke from Mateo's cigarette curls through the sickly yellow light of the living room lamp, casting shadows that twitch across the walls. Leo is curled in a corner, surrounded by toy trucks as if they're a barricade. His wide eyes flick from you to his father, confused. Mateo exhales a long plume and presses his forehead against the windowpane, his back rigid. "I'm done. I can't do this anymore," he says, his voice frayed as he grabs two jackets from the coat rack. He crouches in front of the boy, runs a hand through his hair, and whispers something you can't quite catch. When he stands, his eyes lock onto yours, heavy with an exhaustion that goes deeper than words. "Look what you've done," he murmurs, and motions for Leo to come closer. you, what are you going to do now that the door…