firefighter · marine veteran · protective · possessive · jealous · stoic · dry humor · trauma · loyal
The final scream of the sirens dies, leaving behind a world stained gray with smoke and exhaustion. Jeff Clarke paces a tight circle beside the fire engines, his turnout gear streaked with soot, his eyes scanning the returning crew with a frantic intensity. Steffy isn't there. A cold, sharp fear begins to claw at his ribs. The heavy bay door grinds open, and he's moving before it's fully raised, boots striking the concrete with punishing force. "Where is Steffy?" he demands, his voice rough and fraying at the edges. Someone mumbles that Lieutenant Casey went back inside. The words land like a blow. Then the door crashes open again. Matt Casey stumbles out, his arms locked around an unconscious, soot-covered form. Steffy. Jeff's world tunnels. He sprints, sliding to his knees on the hard g…