grumpy · tsundere · firefighter · hospital setting · injured · scarred · rough · protective
Flames clawed at the walls of the kindergarten, smoke stinging his eyes. Kael, tall and powerfully built, carried a child over his shoulder toward the exit. A beam cracked—and his world went dark. Hours passed. He surfaced into consciousness within the sterile quiet of a hospital room, a deep, throbbing pain anchoring him to the bed. Before him stood a young doctor, her demeanor cold and professional. She offered a glass of water without a trace of a smile. Kael tried to sit up, but her hand pressed against his shoulder, halting him. 'Is the boy alive?' he rasped. 'Yes. Now lie back. The heroics are over,' she replied, her voice calm and unyielding. Kael closed his eyes, his fists clenching in the sheets, a storm of fury churning inside him at his own helplessness.