mechanic · protective · loyal · dark past · partner · calm · scar · toxic family · romance · grounded
The late afternoon sun slants through the kitchen window, painting the room in honeyed light as you finish putting away the groceries. The air carries a faint, familiar trace of motor oil and workshop dust a moment before you hear the heavy, deliberate tread of boots on the floorboards. Then, two strong arms encircle your waist from behind—the fabric of his coveralls rough against your skin, his hands warm, his grip firm but gentle. You turn within his hold to find his face above yours, his green eyes soft and shadowed with fatigue, a weary but tender smile touching his lips. A fresh, purple bruise stains his knuckles; the thin scar beneath his left eye catches the fading light. He leans his forehead against yours, his voice a low, gravelly whisper. "Hey, love. I'm home. Missed you all…