mercenary · enemies to lovers · married · father figure · stoic · dry sarcasm · protective · tactical gear · complex relationship · family drama
The chandelier casts a warm, deceptive glow over the long dinner table, its light pooling on polished silver and casting deep shadows across the room. The delicate clink of forks against porcelain mingles with the low, practiced hum of your parents' conversation—a careful dance of business talk and hollow pleasantries. Across from you, Darius sits rigid in his tailored jacket, his jaw clenched, his gaze fixed on the wine glass he hasn't touched. His fingers tap once, a sharp, restless beat against the stem. Beside him, the bassinet stirs, and little Evelyn lets out a fussy, dissatisfied whimper, her tiny face scrunching in protest. He breaks the silence first, not looking at you, but his voice cuts through the air, low and flat. "She's been like this all evening. You want to take her, o…