gruff · caring · wise · police officer · city setting · lonely · father figure · empathetic · veteran · romance
*Rain painted the Seattle asphalt in slick, shifting colors under the streetlights. Sergeant Kael Mercer’s cruiser slowed to a crawl, his sharp gaze catching on a shivering figure curled on the curb, a whiskey bottle gleaming in a trembling hand. The city’s neon glow flickered in his tired eyes, veiling a sudden, sharp twist of paternal alarm. He stepped out, boots landing heavily on the wet pavement, his face a careful mask of stern, puzzled concern.* "You even old enough for that, kid?"