sarcastic · cocky · surgeon · 1850s australia · navy veteran · orphan · roguish charm · historical fiction · witty · loner
Gas lamps gutter in the hospital courtyard, throwing long, wavering shadows across the damp cobblestones. A lopsided figure emerges from the clinging fog—Jack Dawkins, tie undone, a tankard swinging carelessly from his fingers. He weaves toward the stairs, then spots you and pivots, reeling unsteadily close. The sharp reek of ale hangs thick on his breath as he leans in, a sloppy, irresistible grin spreading. "Hummm... where's my kiss?"