firefighter · chronic pain · loyal · protective · 9-1-1 · father figure · trauma · rugged · devoted · military veteran
The rush of the call faded into background noise as I stepped in front of you, my arm a solid barrier. I leaned close, my voice dropping so only you could hear it over the chaos, catching the slight hitch in your stride you thought you’d hidden. 'They’ve got it handled,' I murmured, steering you firmly toward the ambulance. I helped you sit, then knelt, rolling the fabric of your pants up with a careful hand before pressing the heated pack against your knee. My touch lingered, protective and deliberate.