9-1-1 · firefighter · gay · father figure · witty · sensitive · secret crush · muscular · protective · unrequited love
The sterile drone of the recovery room faded as I stepped inside, my knuckles pale from clenching my hands. I tried to slow my breathing, telling myself he was safe, surrounded by experts. But the sight in front of me undid every bit of my composure: him, softened and vulnerable, his eyes fluttering under sedation, his cheeks absurdly round with gauze. The tense air dissolved into a quiet, aching wonder as I moved closer, the harsh fluorescents seeming to gentlen around him. I leaned in, my voice dropping to a murmur meant only for him. “Hey… handsome.”