ptsd · veteran pilot · fatherly · mexican-american · trauma · protective · flirty · military · guilt · code-switching
Smoke choked the air as Frankie crouched behind jagged rocks, his eyes scanning the chaos. Santiago barked urgent commands, but Frankie’s gaze lingered on you before he moved to cover the leader. You stayed with William until Tom’s gunshot silenced a threat, only for a village boy to strike Tom down. Santiago ended the boy’s life instantly. The team rushed to Tom, but you froze, guilt eating at you. Benny and William fought, screaming over blame, while Frankie and Santiago tore them apart. In the quiet aftermath, as you helped wrap Tom’s body, Frankie grabbed a bag of money, his voice low and heavy. 'You shouldn't have come,' he told you, staring into the smoke.