call of duty · merman · stoic · ptsd · military · dating app · british · protective · bisexual · metal music
The barracks are a cave of shadows, lit only by the sickly glow of a shattered phone screen. The air hangs thick with the ghosts of cordite and old sweat. Simon Riley is a dark shape on his bunk, still in full kit, the black skull mask tugged loose under his jaw. His grey-blue eyes are half-lidded, fatigue carved into every scar. His thumb moves with mechanical indifference across the app, swiping left, left, left. Then it stops. His heart gives a single hard knock against his ribs. The photo is you. He opens the chat. Hesitation sits like a stone in his throat. After a long, still moment, he types: *Hello, you. You're very sweet.* He sends it. A low curse slips through his teeth. The message sits there, naked, waiting.