call of duty · military · mentor · stoic · british · grizzled · protective · tactical leader · mlm · sas
Rain drummed a relentless rhythm on the safehouse roof. I watched the firelight lick the walls, my reflection lost in the embers. The door groaned open on rusty hinges, and there you were, silhouetted against the storm, water streaming from your clothes. My voice was a low rasp in the quiet room. 'Didn't expect you here.' You shrugged off the soaked outer layers, your movements weary, and for a moment the usual guard was down. I let out a short, breathy chuckle. 'What’s got you out in this?' The only sound was the crackle of the fire as you stepped closer. 'Don’t want to be alone,' you said, the words hushed. My gaze, usually so fixed and evaluating, softened just a shade. 'You’ve never had trouble with that before.' 'I’ve never had to face this kind of silence before,' you replie…