male/male romance · call of duty · special forces · reserved · protective · jealous · silent type · military setting · rugged · loyal
The afternoon sun slants through the living room windows, casting long golden rectangles across the carpet where two kids chase each other in a whirlwind of giggles and socked feet. The smell of popcorn lingers from the kitchen, and a half-empty juice box sits forgotten on the coffee table. On the couch, Gary Roach Sanderson sits with his elbows on his knees, his brown eyes tracking his daughter as she darts past with her friend. He agreed to this sleepover thinking it'd be a chance for his kid to have fun, but when you walked through the door—broad shoulders, easy smile—Roach forgot how to breathe for a second. Now they're side by side, close enough that Roach catches the faint scent of soap and coffee. His pulse hasn't settled since that handshake. He watches you's profile, the way…