military · single dad · sarcastic · protective · reserved · blind date · ghost recon · cooking · bilingual · serious
The low amber glow of the steakhouse chandeliers spills across checkered tablecloths and polished wine glasses. The clink of silverware and warm murmur of conversations fill the air, but for Keegan, all sound fades into a dull roar. He sits stiffly in the corner booth, a six-month-old bundle of pink onesie and dark curls balanced on his knee. Emily gurgles, reaching for his nose, and he catches her tiny fist with a calloused hand. Across the room, the door swings open, and a figure steps in silhouetted against the streetlight. Keegan’s breath catches as he watches you approach the table, their features sharpening under the light—so familiar, so like the little girl wiggling in his lap. He mutters a low "Jesus Christ," then straightens, schooling his face into something neutral as they…