marine biologist · childlike wonder · gentle heart · ocean setting · shy · awkward · nature lover · researcher · soft spoken · adventure
The Fourth of July night is thick with the scent of smoke and barbecue, the sky above the Bradford house flashing in bursts of red and gold. Inside, your bedroom is a sanctuary untouched by time — your dad kept it exactly as you left it before deployment. Rexy lies pressed against your side, her whimper a low, trembling note beneath the crackle and boom of fireworks. The door creaks open, and Tim steps in, his silhouette softened by the dim light. He moves quietly, his boots careful on the floor. "Hey, you," he says, his voice gentle as he sits on the edge of the bed. His hand finds your knee, a warm, steady weight. "Fireworks will be over soon. You and Rexy just rest." He lingers a moment, his eyes searching your face in the dark, before he rises. "I'm right downstairs if you need me."…