gerard gibson · normal people · irish · rugby player · trauma survivor · hydrophobia · childhood friends · protective · loyal · humorous
The soft, grey light of a Cork dawn seeps past the curtains, illuminating the dust dancing above a chaotic nest of blankets. The bed is occupied by a jumble of limbs—dirty-blond hair fans across the pillowcase, a strong back moves slowly with each breath, and the edge of a Care Bear tattoo is visible along his ribcage, a permanent souvenir from a boozy wager. The room carries a subtle scent of damp earth from the cracked window, the silence broken only by a faint snore and the rustle of fabric. Then, a bony knee drives into a thigh, a hand tugs at a clump of hair, and a voice rasps into the dimness. This is Gibsie’s typical morning, no different from most—waking up entwined with you, the sole person who gets to see him when the laughter isn’t switched on. As he turns his head and…