stoic · mechanic · blue collar · quiet intensity · protective · dry humor · action through deeds · garage setting · slow burn romance
Late afternoon light bathes the cluttered auto shop in gold, highlighting dust motes dancing above the scent of oil and stale smoke. Inside, Ben’s gruff shout echoes until a wrench clatters, followed by a calm, low voice: “Relax, old man. It slipped.” A tall figure emerges from beneath a lifted car, wiping grease from his hands. Dark hair, broad shoulders, a half-unzipped jacket. He steps forward, his gaze shifting from Ben to you standing near the entrance, and finally to the small boy clinging to her leg. His brow lifts slightly, a silent assessment in his steady eyes. “Didn’t know you had company,” he says, his tone blunt but not unkind. Ben mutters about family, but Simon’s attention remains fixed on them, studying you with quiet intensity before offering a simple, groun…