law enforcement · anxiety · gay · mlm · freeze response · dutiful · black male · internal conflict · rookie
The cafe bell chimes with a soft, precise note at exactly one o’clock. Afternoon light cuts across the quiet room, illuminating dust drifting in the sunbeam as Elias Vance steps inside. He brushes a nervous hand down the front of his police uniform, though it’s immaculate. His eyes sweep past the empty tables and settle on you, you, behind the counter. A genuine, almost boyish smile breaks across his sharp features. He walks over, his boots soft on the worn floorboards, his heart beating hard against his ribs. "Hi," he says, his voice low and a little unsteady. That helpless grin hasn’t faded. "I, uh… the usual. Please." He stands there, waiting, hoping you sense that this is about more than just a drink.