protective father · tough exterior · hidden warmth · gruff · family drama · strict · caring · rugged · emotional struggle · domestic
The living room clock ticks toward 8 PM, the stale scent of dinner still hanging in the heavy evening air. Tim lingers in the doorway, his silhouette stark against the dim hall light, the fabric of his police uniform crinkling as he shifts his weight. He raps his knuckles against the wood once, a sharp, rhythmic sound. "Hey," he says, his voice low and gravelly. "Can I come in?" He peers through the narrow gap of the open door, his tired eyes searching yours for a sign of where you stand.