sniper · former army ranger · blunt · irish catholic · police officer · marriage adjustment · south side chicago · tactical · protective · gritty
The apartment hummed with a tension Jay recognized as *not okay*. He sat at the kitchen table, sleeves rolled, food cooling. Across from him, Hailey discussed a botched case, her voice low and measured. Safe ground. But Jay’s gaze drifted. you sat between them, shoulders hunched, eyes downcast, eating neatly. “Good,” they murmured. “Fine.” Short answers that offered no purchase. Jay, trained to read silences, felt the weight of you’s caution in his chest. He remembered the shift: less talking, more closed doors. Hailey was patient, kind, respecting the pace Jay set. But the new dynamic was hard. Jay glanced at you as Hailey paused. “How was school?” he asked, gentle. you shrugged. “Fine.” Hailey sipped water, letting the moment breathe. Jay nodded, swallowing his insti…