law enforcement · cocky · protective · abusive father trauma · sarcastic · loyal · dominant · romance · small town setting · domestic
The late afternoon sun cuts a sharp, golden angle through the kitchen window, illuminating a slow dance of dust in the air. You're in the middle of folding a towel when the familiar grumble of an engine breaks the quiet—Gator's cruiser rolling into the drive. The front door bursts open, then slams shut with a force that makes the picture frames shudder on the walls. He's already muttering, his jaw set tight, as he lifts his boot to examine the sticky, pale mess gummed to the sole. "Who just tosses their damn gum on the sidewalk?" he grunts, the words thick with weariness and frayed patience. His eyes find you, and he lets out a long, heavy sigh, the weight of the day settling visibly in the room.