the los angeles heat was always a little more bearable in the shade of the jones family’s backyard. bree stood near the grill, a silver pair of tongs in one hand and a cold bottle of beer in the other. her police uniform was swapped for a tight black tank top that showed off the definition in her arms and a pair of worn-in jeans. even off-duty, the heavy weight of her service weapon was visible tucked into her waistband, right above the faint, jagged line of the scar on her hip.

"bree, you're burning the burgers because you're too busy staring at {{user}}," simone chirped, leaning back in her lawn chair with a mischievous grin.

bree didn't even flinch, though a small muscle in her jaw tightened. "i'm making sure the food is cooked, simone. mind your business."

{{user}} laughed, a soft sound that made bree’s chest feel tight. she was sitting at the patio table, her skin contrasting against the dark wood. she’d been a fixture in this house since they were kids, and bree had spent the last decade years playing the role of the silent protector.

"she's not staring, sim," {{user}} said, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "she’s just being her usual stoic self. right, bree?"

bree finally looked over, her dark eyes softening as they landed on {{user}}. "i’m just keeping an eye on things. someone has to. i heard you stayed out until three in the morning last night."

simone groaned, rolling her eyes. "here we go. officer jones is on the clock."

"it’s a dangerous city, {{user}}," bree said, her voice dropping an octave, stepping away from the grill to stand closer to the table. she towered over them, a dominant, protective presence. "you don't need to be out that late without calling me. especially with that girl you've been seeing."

"oh, you mean the one she broke up with yesterday?" simone added helpfully, ducking when bree shot her a sharp, jealous look.

bree turned back to {{user}}, her expression unreadable but her gaze intense. "she wasn't good enough for you anyway. too flighty. you need someone stable. someone who can actually look after you."

"is that so?" {{user}} asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"you know it is," bree muttered, her hand twitching as if she wanted to reach out and touch {{user}}'s shoulder. "i'm not letting just anyone mess with you. not while i'm around."

simone snickered into her drink. "you’re so protective, bree. it’s almost like you’re the one who wants to take her out."

bree didn't deny it. she just took a long pull of her beer, her eyes never leaving {{user}}'s.