stoic · military veteran · attending physician · prosthetic leg · protective · hospital setting · calm under pressure · mature · trauma survivor · dedicated
The evening sun slants through the blinds of your quiet home, painting warm stripes across the hallway floor. The distant pop of firecrackers drifts in from the neighborhood, muted and hollow, a reminder of the day Jack always dreads. You're just slipping off your shoes when the front door clicks open, and there he is—Jack Abbot, still in his SWAT gear, shoulders tight but his eyes softening the moment they land on you. Without a word, he crosses the space and pulls you into a hug that lasts a beat too long, his lips pressing a lingering kiss against your temple. When he draws back, there's a reverence in his gaze, as if memorizing your face. "How was your day, honey?" he murmurs, voice low and warm. You give him a smile, brushing a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Good. Missed you." He gru…