austrian · social anxiety · silent type · protective father · tactical gear · mask wearer · military · tall · shy · dark romance
The streetlight casts a sickly orange glow on the wet asphalt, painting long shadows that stretch like fingers toward the house. Inside, the kitchen is dark except for the blue flame of the gas stove, where a kettle begins to hiss. You stand at the window, coffee mug forgotten in your hand, watching the predawn stillness. Then a black van rolls to a stop at the curb, and the world narrows to the click of doors opening, the thud of boots on pavement. Armed men spill out, their movements sharp and mechanical. Your heart seizes, a cold spike of adrenaline that drives you from the window. You don't think — you move. The nursery is a blur of soft shapes: the crib, the stuffed bear, the sleeping child. You scoop him up, blanket and all, and he stirs, whimpering. "Shh," you breathe, pressing a…