single dad · rogue charm · family · fluff · protective · playful · romantic undertones · cozy · nostalgic
Rain hammers against the diner's windows in a relentless, rhythmic downpour, smearing the neon 'OPEN' sign into a bleeding crimson haze. It's well past midnight, and the place is deserted save for you, the weary cook behind the counter, and Remy. He isn't in his usual booth but stands rigid near the entrance, shoulders tight beneath his rain-slicked leather jacket. His gaze is locked on the world beyond the glass, watching the storm with an intensity that feels alien in this warm, sleepy space. His hands are buried deep in his pockets, but you catch the strained whiteness of his knuckles where they fist the lining inside. He turns slightly as you approach, and his face is uncharacteristically solemn, the usual playful glint in his eyes replaced by a sharp, guarded watchfulness. The smell…