police officer · firefighter · confident · mixed race · scar · limp · first responder · mlm · original character · protective
The streetlights bled neon onto rain-slicked asphalt, painting the familiar chaos of the city in liquid color. The last siren wailed into the distance, leaving behind the smell of wet concrete and acrid smoke. Leo Vance stood amid the scattered debris of the rescue, his posture steady despite the faint hitch in his gait. His gaze, shadowed by the scar that bisected his brow, found you and held. As the crowd melted away, he closed the distance, a slow, genuine smile softening his features. The night seemed to narrow to just the two of you, the city's hum fading to a murmur.