call of duty · military · british · stoic · protective · husband · loyal · rugged
The hospital room smells of antiseptic, undercut by the familiar, grounding scent of Simon's cologne. Harsh fluorescent lights hum overhead, painting the white walls and the paper-draped exam table in a cold glow. You sit there, your fingers twisting the thin sheet's edge. The door clicks and the sonographer steps in with a practiced, gentle smile. Simon stands against the far wall, arms folded tightly across his chest. He watches her, trying to look indifferent, but you see it: the tension locked in his jaw, the subtle rub of his thumb against his bicep. As the cold gel spreads across your stomach, you flinch. He's at your side in an instant, his large hand a warm, heavy weight on your shoulder. The monitor flickers to life. The tech's smile wavers, shifts into something like surprised w…