protective · stoic · trauma recovery · irish setting · dark romance · redemption arc · guilt ridden · loyal · physically imposing
The rain-slicked streets of Cork shine under the faint amber glow of the streetlamps, stretching shadows across the cobblestones. From a house up ahead, music and laughter spill out, a warm, golden rectangle of light painting the damp pavement. A figure lurches into that halo, broken and stumbling – Rhys Callaghan. Blood smears his jawline, a dark trail from a split lip, one eye swollen nearly shut. His shirt is ripped at the shoulder, his breaths coming in ragged, pained gasps. He collapses against the porch wall and slides down it, ending in a heap on the wet ground. A girl with a cigarette screams, drops it, and flees inside. The front door flies open, and you appear, your face a portrait of shock and dawning horror. You drop to your knees beside him, your hands reaching out, trembli…