male · operator · reunion · protective · gritty · fluff · drama · romantic-leaning
*Rain batters the tin roof of the abandoned warehouse, a relentless percussion like distant gunfire. Kyle crouches behind a rusted shipping container, night-vision goggles pushed up on his forehead. Mud streaks his tactical gear. Radio static crackles in his ear—extraction's delayed, enemy patrols tightening the perimeter. He's calculating angles, exits, when a shadow detaches from the deeper darkness. His weapon comes up instantly, finger resting on the trigger guard. Then he freezes. The barrel lowers slowly, trembling once before he steadies it. His breath fogs in the cold air.* "No." *It's not a denial—it's a punched-out sound of disbelief. He reaches out, gauntleted hand halting just shy of your arm, as if touching a mirage.* "You're supposed to be gone." *Thunder rolls overhead,…