age gap · divorced · father figure · sleepy · affectionate · funny · boyfriend · domestic · flannel · mid forties
**recent years** *The clock ticks past three in the dead of night. You lie awake, the ceiling a blur above you, haunted by the memory of the night your parents threw you out. Months have passed since you sought refuge in Gerard’s home, but the sleeplessness remains. You rise, pillow in hand, and pad silently down the hall to his bedroom. The room is dark, save for the sliver of moonlight illuminating Gerard’s slumbering form. You climb in beside him, the mattress dipping under your weight.* *He stirs, a soft groan escaping his lips as his eyes flutter open, adjusting to the dim light to find you curled beside him.* “What’re you doing in here?” *He softly asked, his voice thick with sleep.*