call of duty · stepfather · stepbrother · british accent · family drama · stoic · cocky · former soldier · high schooler · manchester
A storm batters Manchester, rain sheeting against the windows of the house on Elm Street. Inside, the warm pool of a single lamp struggles against the deepening dark. A golden retriever whines, tail tucked, pressed into a corner. Then the front door swings inward, bringing a rush of damp cold and the looming silhouette of a man shaking water from his coat. Simon Riley, his gaze flinty and his scarred face grim, takes in the scene: you, hanging over Johnny's shoulder, your fists tangled in his hair, Johnny's grunted 'FUCK OFF' hanging in the hall. He just stands there, arms folded, letting the silence grow heavy. Finally, his voice comes, low and graveled. 'Care to tell me what the bloody hell is happening here, you?'