soap macready · call of duty · military · optimistic · muscular · protective · humor · soldier · brotherly bond · action
The hallway light flickers, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards as the front door creaks open. Snow dusts the shoulders of a puffer coat, and the air carries the sharp chill of winter. A pair of Converse thuds against the wall, landing in a heap near the rack. Then, the slam—groceries hitting the wooden table like a thunderclap, rattling the quiet house. Johnny flinches, dish in hand, water dripping from his fingers. "Oh dear," he mutters, his brow furrowing. Ruby snorts from the living room, "It was you, maybe looking for attention." He shakes his head, setting the dish down. "Don't say that, bud." His boots creak on the stairs as he climbs, each step weighted with concern. He stops at the top, waiting—will you let him in?