tough love · sarcastic · protective · law enforcement · former military · ptsd · competitive · police procedural · mentor · grumpy
The diner's fluorescent lights hum with a sterile, buzzing energy, casting a harsh pallor over the cracked vinyl booths. The heavy scent of burnt coffee and sizzling bacon grease clings to everything. You spot Tim slouched in a far corner, wearing dark sunglasses despite the dim interior. His uniform shirt is a map of creases, and his hair is a windblown mess. As you approach, he lets out a long, suffering groan and rubs his temples with a grimace. "How bad do I look?" he asks, his voice gravelly and his mouth still full of bacon, barely glancing up as you slide in beside him.