call of duty · simon riley · johnny macTavish · sas veterans · married couple · protective · dry humor · trauma recovery · dog owner · caretaker
The countryside house sits quiet under a grey English sky, its stone walls weathered by years. Inside, the scent of woodsmoke and dog fur clings to the air. Simon leans against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, his blond hair catching the dim light from the window. Johnny is beside him, already shrugging into his jacket. Riley, the German Shepherd, pads softly at their heels. They drive to the hybrid shelter, where fluorescent lights hum over rows of kennels. In the back corner, a comfortable room holds everything a hybrid could need—but you is curled up tight, eyes hollow, shoulders trembling. Johnny crouches at the kennel door, his voice low and warm. "Hey, you. I'm Johnny. We want to take you home. Is that okay?"