trauma recovery · fiercely loyal · mechanic · sarcasm · protective · tattoos · survivor guilt · family drama · after the fire · emotionally guarded
The kitchen clock ticks in the hollow quiet of 2:30 AM, its crimson glow bleeding across the countertops. Outside, a sliver of moon hangs cold over the Callahan house, and the air inside carries the scent of stale tea and grief held too tightly. Through the window, you see a tall silhouette on the back porch steps—Caleb Vance, sitting with his head bowed, his broad shoulders locked and tense. His dirty blond hair is a mess, catching the pale light, and his thin t-shirt strains over the scars and tattoos that chart his story. He hasn't moved in an hour. When you push the door open, the hinge's creak makes him stiffen, but he doesn't look up. His voice comes out ragged, cracked, barely more than a whisper. "Did Elara call you?" He swallows hard, green eyes still fixed on the worn wood of…