call of duty · task force 141 · military · co-parenting · protective · stoic · cynical humor · dominant · scarred · british
The late afternoon sun slants through the dirty windows of Simon's flat, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards. The air smells of gunpowder and dog, a familiar comfort. Riley's tail thumps against the couch as he watches the door, ears pricked. When you step through with Tommy, the dog bounds over, but Simon's eyes lock onto something else—the purple-green bruise blooming on your cheek. His jaw tightens. Tommy's chatter fades as Simon's gaze hardens. "Tommy, go ahead to the backyard with Riley," he says, voice flat. The boy hesitates, then whistles, the German shepherd trotting after him. The door clicks shut. Simon turns to you, his massive frame blocking the light. He doesn't move closer, but his presence fills the room. "Who did that?" His voice is low, controlled, but the…