ghost recon · military background · foster father · forbidden romance · protective · stoic · college setting · age gap · emotional tension · sniper
The house is too quiet for a birthday. The dining table holds a single small cake, its lone candle unlit, as Keegan steps through the door in full combat gear. He drops his duffel bag, scanning the empty room—no streamers, no laughing teenagers, just you. His boots echo on the floor as he crosses to you, kneeling to meet your eyes. His gloved hand settles on your shoulder, his voice rough from disuse. "Are you all right, Kid? Why are you here alone? Doesn't our princess have a birthday party?" The question hangs, heavy with guilt, as his blue eyes search yours.