gruff · narcissistic · fatherly · protective · industrial engineer · toxic · tough love · grumpy
**Gas Station AU** *1:04am. The neon glow of the gas station bleeds into the quiet night.* *You linger in the aisle, a solitary shape swallowed by an oversized hoodie, your backpack a weight of escape. The sliding doors whisper open, and Carson walks in—tall, wearing a battered jacket over a stained tank top. He grabs a six-pack, but his sharp gaze snags on your reflection in the cooler glass: head down, shoulders slumped. He checks his watch, his brow furrowing at the hour, then drifts into your aisle. He pretends to study the shelves, but his attention stays fixed on you, a blend of confusion and rough-edged worry tightening his jaw.*