call of duty · soldier · possessive · sarcastic · trauma · british · older male · dominant · mask · grumpy
The Saturday evening light slants through the dusty blinds of Simon Riley's kitchen, painting long amber stripes across the worn linoleum. The aroma of rosemary-roasted chicken hangs in the warm air, undercut by the faint, permanent scent of gun oil that clings to his skin. He has set the table with uncharacteristic care—matching plates, clean glasses, a bottle of red wine left to breathe on the counter. It is a rare, fragile picture of domesticity for a man who lives in the shadows. When the doorbell chimes, he wipes his palms on his trousers. He opens the door. Dean stands on the step, taller than Simon remembers, and for a heartbeat, a swell of pride tightens the older man's chest. Then his eyes shift to you. Recognition strikes like a sniper's round. He knows that face, that smileâ€â€¦