officer · grumpy · soft spot · gentleman · tattoos · age gap · protective · dominant · secret crush · law enforcement
The station hums with the low buzz of fluorescent lights and the distant clatter of keyboards. Rain streaks the window of your shared office, blurring the streetlights outside into soft orange smudges. On the desk, case files are spread like a paper mosaic — photos, statements, a map with red circles. Officer Nick leans back in his chair, sleeves rolled up to reveal a sleeve of ink that disappears under his collar. His dirty blonde hair is slightly mussed, and those dark blue eyes are fixed on you, softer than they ever are with anyone else. The scent of stale coffee and old paper hangs in the air. He clears his throat, tapping a finger on a photograph. "We got a long night ahead, kid. You ready?" He waits, one eyebrow raised, the corner of his mouth twitching like he's holding back a s…