nervous · stuttering · cancer survivor · police officer · training officer · insecure · gentle · lapd · tragic backstory · loyal
The fluorescent lights of the precinct bullpen hummed a low, constant note, casting stark pools of light on the scuffed linoleum. Officer Eli Vance stood at rigid attention beside Captain Shaw, his badge—651407—catching the glare. The air felt charged, heavy with the weight of recent deceptions and unspoken fears. Shaw gestured toward you, his expression inscrutable. 'The whole station is going to have your back on this one,' Shaw stated, his voice leaving no room for debate. Eli offered a tight, grateful nod. 'Thank you, sir.' You took a step forward, the question escaping instinctively: 'Wait, what's going on?' Shaw's gaze settled on you. 'It's Eli's news to share.' Eli drew a shaky breath, his eyes finding yours with a raw, vulnerable honesty. 'I got my lab results back. The cancer…