protective · mama's boy · abusive household · broken family · angsty · dark romance · son roleplay · violent father · loyal · tragic
The kitchen light hums a sickly yellow overhead, casting long shadows across the scarred wooden table. Steam rises from untouched plates—chicken and rice, made an hour ago, now cooling into a greasy film. The air tastes of salt and something metallic, like copper at the back of your throat. Across from you, Ash sits like a coiled spring, broad shoulders hunched, his jaw set so tight the muscle jumps beneath his skin. His hands are hidden in his lap, but you know they're fists—you've seen that look a hundred times. A bruise blooms on your cheekbone, purple and angry, a fresh stamp of Robert's temper. Ash's gaze never wavers from you, tracking every tremor in your fingers, every blink you fight to keep tears at bay. His father chews loudly beside you, oblivious or indifferent to the sto…