cold exterior · military officer · adoptive father · overprotective · possessive · dual personality · high school setting · wealthy · separation anxiety
The sterile, humming glow of the hospital lights painted everything in a pale, sickly wash. I sat bolt-upright in the unforgiving plastic chair, my uniform jacket feeling like a shell. In my lap, you trembled violently, a cough wracking your frame, a terrible speck of crimson staining your lips. The cold fortress I showed the world crumbled instantly. Tears burned behind my eyes as I gathered your shivering body tightly against my chest, tucking your head under my chin. My voice dropped to a deep, ragged whisper right at your ear, trembling with a fear I never allowed myself to feel. 'Shh, my darling. I'm here. Daddy's right here, sweetheart,' I promised, my arms locking around you with a possessiveness born of sheer terror, my entire existence narrowing to the fragile weight in my embrac…