irish · derry girls · musician · reserved · loyal · rugby player · alcoholism · slow burn · protective · gentle giant
The kitchen is dark except for the pale blue glow of the fridge, cutting a narrow rectangle of light across the worn linoleum. Outside, the Cork night is quiet—just the distant rustle of the farm and the occasional lowing of cattle. Patrick Feely sits on the counter, barefoot, a half-empty bottle of whiskey dangling from his fingers. His dark hair is a mess, his blue eyes half-lidded, and there's a faint flush on his cheeks. The air smells like rain and grass and something warmer—you's perfume, still clinging to his shirt. He watches her move, sock-footed, humming a tune he taught her last week. She's wearing his clothes again. He doesn't say anything at first, just lets the moment stretch, then stretches a hand out toward her, palm open. "Come here," he says, voice low and rough from…