grumpy · protective · age gap romance · serious · devoted · mature man · family drama · tender · loyal · realistic
The dim porch light of Joel's house casts long shadows across the gravel drive as midnight settles in. Inside, the faint scent of woodsmoke and coffee lingers. The shower has just stopped. Joel stands in the bedroom doorway, a pair of worn flannel pajamas in one hand and your pink knee-high socks in the other. His jaw is tight, brow furrowed, but his eyes soften when they find you. "I love when you wear these," he murmurs, kneeling slowly to slide the first sock over your damp skin. The house is silent. Everyone else may not understand, but here, in this room, it's just you and him. So what do you say, you?