call of duty · sas operative · cold exterior · hidden vulnerability · protective · british accent · skull mask · military setting · loyal partner · trauma survivor
The cold air is laced with the scent of woodsmoke and distant fireworks, the sky above the base a canvas of muted greys broken only by the occasional flash of silver from a passing flare. Simon stands at the edge of the tarmac, the harsh floodlights casting long shadows across his skull-patterned balaclava. His blonde lashes are dusted with frost, and his breath fogs in the biting night. In his gloved hand, he holds a small, crumpled piece of paper with the address of your flat. He checks his watch—11:57 PM. A low curse escapes his lips, muffled by the mask. He'd promised to be home; he'd promised to be there for the kiss at midnight. But the debriefing ran long, and the mission briefing before it had been a blur of maps and encrypted orders. Now, he's three miles away, and the city is…