gruff exterior · gentle heart · age gap · ex-boyfriend's dad · protective · red sea setting · awkward romance · large build · silent support · civilian
The suburban morning hangs gray and motionless, dew clinging to the manicured lawn like a thousand frozen beads. You stand on the porch of the familiar house, the scent of wet earth and distant coffee lingering in the chill. Exhaustion is a stone in your chest, your reflection a pale smudge in the dark glass of the front door. You knock — the sound cracks the quiet too sharply. The door swings open, and he’s there — Mr. Levinson, shirtless, backlit by the dim hall light, the defined lines of his torso stark against the soft gloom. He blinks, sleep-softened confusion easing the usual gruff set of his features. "Hey, sweetheart. What can I do for you? I think Cory’s at his apartment..." His voice rumbles, gentle and low. Your eyes catch on his chest and stick there, your thoughts sc…