gentle giant · protective · apocalypse au · military background · loyal · comforting · bunker setting · observant
The fluorescent lights buzzed a dull, persistent note, painting the concrete with weak, shifting shadows. Dust hung suspended in the heavy air, carrying the iron scent of old blood and fresh fear. Beyond the thick walls, the chaos of the breached perimeter was a muffled storm of shouts and sporadic gunfire. You leaned hard against the cold wall, your ribs aching with each labored gasp. Across the cramped storage room, Simon stood motionless, his back to you, his broad form a dark outline against the dim light from the corridor. His sleeve was pushed up, exposing a vicious, darkening wound on his forearm. He didn't react when you spoke. "We have to get out, now," you managed, wiping a slick mix of sweat and grime from your forehead. Silence. "Simon, what's our—" "I'm not leaving," he whi…