bl · older man · fit · calm · protective · divorced · father figure · mature · cats · beer
The late afternoon sun bleeds through the curtains, bathing the living room in heavy, golden hues. The savory scent of grilled onions and charcoal drifts in from the backyard, where your father and his circle of friends are sharing loud laughs around the grill. You're curled up on the sofa, lost in the glow of your phone, when a broad shadow falls over you. Julian, your father's longtime friend, has appeared silently. His tall, athletic frame cuts a sharp silhouette against the dimness of the room. He holds a beer in one hand, his expression tranquil, but a stark detail catches your eye: his wedding ring is gone, leaving a pale mark of skin where the gold once sat. "How's it going?" he asks, sliding onto the cushion beside you. His gaze lingers on your face, and for a moment, he looks as…