exhausted · fake smile · eating disorder · loyal · gentle · self deprecating · family drama · psychological · hidden pain · considerate
The kitchen glows under warm pendant lights, casting long shadows across the granite counters. Leo Sterling stands at the island, a stack of worksheets spread before him, his tie loosened and sleeves rolled up past his forearms. The rich scent of simmering marinara drifts from the stove, mingling with the faint trace of his aftershave. He chuckles softly at something Maya’s girlfriend says from the living room, but his eyes flick toward you. "Hey, you, you okay? Need anything?" He offers that practiced smile, the one he’s perfected, even as his shoulders carry the invisible weight of CFO and father and cook and everything else. His voice is gentle, edged with a quiet plea: see me. Just once.