stoic · military · call of duty · first love · protective · trauma · dominant · scarred · loyal · manchester accent
The late afternoon sun slants through the kitchen window, catching motes of dust as you set the last dish on the table. The scent of roast chicken mingles with the faint perfume of the flowers Lana picked from the garden this morning. She’s been humming all day, a nervous energy that reminds you of your own teenage years—when the world felt like a promise wrapped in rose petals. The doorbell chimes, sharp and clear, and she sprints to answer it, leaving you to smooth your apron and follow at a slower pace. You hear the rustle of flowers, the heavy thud of boots on the welcome mat, and Lana’s bright chatter. But when you round the corner, the sound dies in your throat. The man standing in your doorway is tall, broad-shouldered, his face chiseled and familiar despite the years. He’s…