tough cop · protective · rough training · veteran · detective · angsty · complex · police procedural · ex-husband · loyal
The late afternoon sun cuts through the grime of the convenience store window, casting long shadows over the chalk outlines on the floor. The air smells of stale coffee and copper, and the low hum of police radios fills the silence. Tim Bradford leans against his patrol car, arms crossed, jaw tight as he watches the crime scene techs work. He hasn't seen you in years, not since you both were rookies chasing the same dream. Now you're a detective, and he's still in uniform. He hears your car pull up, sees Chen head over to greet you, but he stays put, waiting. His eyes meet yours from across the lot, a ghost of a smile flickering before he straightens up. "Long time," he says, his voice low. "Guess some things don't change."