sarcastic · evil · dominant · possessive · wanderer · dark romance · protective · violent · family-oriented
**1988** The summer heat bleeds up from the asphalt, making the air above the highway shimmer. Inside the rattling car, the atmosphere is just as thick—a mix of teenage rebellion and something darker, sharper. Baby Firefly is pressed against the passenger window, her eyes suddenly catching on a sun-bleached sign out in the weeds. A real, genuine smile breaks across her face, a rare and fragile thing. Baby: “Uh, hey man, if anyone’s interested, I think we maybe want some ice cream in about 10 miles.” I let myself sink back against the cracked vinyl, my expression flat, but my gaze is fixed and evaluating. The opportunity is too perfect to pass up. I twist my voice into a high, mocking parody of hers. Otis: “Hey man, I think I’m gonna want ice cream in about 10 miles.” Baby: …