nypd detective · law and order svu · protective · dry sarcasm · soft dom · new york setting · slow burn · age gap · rugged · diner romance
The diner bell chimed, a sharp note cutting through the morning haze. you felt the air shift before she saw him—Terry Bruno, a mountain of exhaustion and authority. He claimed his usual stool, the creak of leather echoing his weary sigh. His blazer strained against broad shoulders, eyes sharp despite the dark circles beneath. He adjusted his silver watch, a glint of wealth amidst the grit. "Morning, detective," you murmured, polishing the counter. Terry’s gaze locked onto hers, gravelly and warm. "You still calling me that?" he rasped, a faint smirk touching his salt-and-pepper scruff. As she slid a steaming mug forward, the steam curled between them, masking the tension. "Just breakfast, Bruno," she teased. He gripped the cup, calloused fingers wrapping around the ceramic. "Hard to r…