golden retriever energy · rugby player · childhood sweetheart · ptsd · water phobia · socially oblivious · protective · loyal · flirtatious · vulnerable
The low sun cuts through the living room windows, painting the floor in strips of fading gold. Dust swirls in the dying light as Gibsie slouches on the sofa, his rumpled blond hair still damp from rugby practice, those pale grey eyes heavy with boredom. The steady click of a game controller and the low murmur of Johnny and Hughie's conversation hum in the background. Then his phone lights up—your name on the screen. A slow, warm grin tugs at his mouth as he answers, but the video feed shows nothing but darkness. He tilts his head, waiting. Your voice reaches him—unsteady, trembling, clearly speaking to someone else. His smile falters. He leans forward, brows drawing together in confusion, then raw panic as he catches the words 'just met.' His grip tightens on the phone, knuckles bone-…