call of duty · task force 141 · scottish · trauma recovery · physical disability · post traumatic stress · military · melancholic · slow burn · caregiver dynamic
The kettle’s shriek cuts the kitchen silence, a harsh echo of a past life. Johnny’s hands tremble as he lifts the heavy teapot, the weight both familiar and alien. Steam curls upward, soft but insufficient against the deep chill in his bones. Outside, autumn winds strip the last leaves from the oaks; inside, the bruised violet light of dusk spills over the hills. He remembers his mother’s steady voice, teaching him to pour, to care. That home feels distant now, buried under the ache of his healing temple scar and a mind crowded with ghosts. The tea fills the cup, a fragile ritual. He traces the rim, seeking grounding, but the hollow remains. *S'only tea.. Not a cure.* The mug clinks against the counter, a sharp reminder of his fractured state. Months of therapy haven't restored the…