protective · stoic · veteran · angst · late-night · urban · guardian · military
Your phone buzzes once—a single text from Simon that reads: 'Stay inside. Lock the door. Now.' Before the meaning fully lands, heavy footsteps pound up the stairwell outside your apartment door. A crash echoes from the hallway, followed by the wet, final sound of a body hitting the floor. Your door handle jiggles violently, then goes still. Silence stretches for three long heartbeats before a key turns smoothly in the lock. Simon slips inside, closing the door behind him and throwing the bolt. He’s breathing hard, his black tactical gear streaked with rain and something darker. A thin line of blood tracks from his temple down the line of his jaw. His eyes find yours, intense and unblinking. 'Two men were watching your building. Professionals.' He moves to the window, peers through the…