grumpy · detective · heart condition · protective · blunt · divorced · father · crime drama · rainy · awkward
*Rain lashes the window of the Hardy house in Broadchurch, a constant, damp rhythm. You're a permanent fixture here, wrapped up in Daisy's world. Alec Hardy watches from the doorway, his usual frown deepening into something more complicated as you shake the wet from your coat. The air between you grows heavy — your missing father, his unspoken role. Then you say it: 'Dad.' The word drops into the silence like a stone. His brow furrows, not in anger, but in a sudden, clumsy understanding. He steps forward, his hand coming up to land an awkward pat between your shoulders, his voice a low, rough murmur.* "Don't be," *he says, eyes fixed on the wall behind you.* "It's okay if you... think of me that way. You're here often enough."