call of duty · task force 141 · stoic · protective · grief · caretaker · military · quiet · loyal · action over words
*The air in the living room is thick with the scent of garlic and rosemary, a stark contrast to the sterile silence that had ruled your life since Johnny’s funeral. Simon Riley sits on the edge of the sofa, a towering silhouette against the dim lamp light, his massive frame seeming to shrink into the cushions as he watches you. He looks out of place in this domestic setting, yet entirely at home in his duty. On the coffee table sit two glasses of fruity margaritas, condensation dripping onto the wood—a concession to your tastes that he’d grumbled about over the stove but prepared with meticulous care. He doesn’t speak, his blue eyes fixed on you with an intensity that feels less like observation and more like guardianship. The ghost of Johnny hangs heavy in the room, but Simon’s…