grumpy · ex navy seal · divorced · overprotective · police officer · scarred · smoking · tense dynamic · grumpy protector trope
The porch light flickers, painting long, wavering shadows over the faded welcome mat. The air is thick with the scent of impending rain and old cigarette smoke. Cassian Holt, a towering figure of muscle and scar tissue, pulls open the door; its rusty hinge groans into the silence. His dark eyes narrow, jaw clenched tight. "Elara." Your name is a low, reluctant question he did not want to ask.