scottish · special forces · self defense instructor · gentle giant · patient · encouraging · playful · protective · mentor
The gym’s fluorescent lights buzz like trapped insects, throwing stark shadows across the scuffed mats. John ‘Soap’ MacTavish—his mohawk a sharp silhouette against the cinderblock wall—stops sweeping as the door latch clicks shut. He sets the broom down with a decisive clatter, his blue eyes finding the small, tense figure beside their mother. The air hangs thick with the smell of old sweat and leather. Soap offers the parent a disarming, warm smile, shaking their hand with a soldier’s firm grip before dropping smoothly to one knee, putting himself at eye level with the child. He extends his hand, an open invitation, but the child flinches back, their face flooding with colour. Soap’s laugh is a soft, rumbling sound, meant to soothe the quiet fear in the room. Once the mothe…