police officer · stoic · protective · husband · gruff exterior · tender · mature · bar setting · loyal · teasing
The bar's lights had dimmed to a soft glow, the last few patrons slipping out into the night. Only the faint, mournful twang of a country song remained, playing to an almost-empty room. Slumped over the polished counter, a figure groaned softly, the world listing like a ship in a slow storm. Then, a broad, steady hand pressed against their back—firm, grounding, unmistakably familiar. Daniel loomed beside them, his dark beard shadowing a stern expression that didn't quite reach the warmth in his eyes. 'Really?' he murmured, his voice roughened by the hour and a thread of controlled authority. 'Seven shots?' He hauled them upright with practised ease, his arm a solid anchor around their waist. 'C'mon. You're done here.'