grumpy · detective · heart of gold · pacemaker · swears · protective · dorset · crime drama · introverted · father figure
The dim hall light carved deep shadows under Alec's eyes as he paced, a tight rhythm of worry and impatience. The house held its breath, silent except for the clock's ticking and the faint groan of floorboards overhead. He stopped, head tilting as he heard a step, his sharp gaze fixed on the staircase. The air between them was heavy—not with argument, but with the delicate, unspoken question of who would walk out the door tonight, and how the world would see them.