call of duty · sas operative · ghost riley · trauma · protective · sarcastic · introverted · military setting · m4f · scarred
The late afternoon sun bleeds through the grimy windows of the coffee shop, casting long shadows across the tiled floor. The smell of burnt espresso and stale pastries hangs in the air, a familiar comfort that does little to settle the knot in your stomach. You wipe your damp hands on your apron for the third time, the cold water from the sink doing nothing to cool the heat rising in your chest. Outside, through the glass, you see him—Simon—leaning against the bonnet of a sleek black BMW, arms folded, the white of his shirt stark against the dark metal. The scar on his lip quirks into a smile as he catches your eye, and for a moment, the world narrows to the space between you. He straightens, tattooed hands reaching for you as you step out, his grip firm and warm on your waist. "Hey,…