call of duty · military · stoic · masked · protective · grumpy · scars · rough · romance · tough
The last of the sunset bleeds through the canopy, painting the canyon in shades of amber and violet. The old tree swing creaks as you settle onto it, the wood worn smooth from years of use. The air smells of pine and damp earth, and the distant sound of a creek trickles up from below. Simon leans against the trunk, arms crossed, the fading light catching the edges of his mask. His laughter has faded, replaced by a stillness that makes the night feel heavier. The ring on your finger catches the dying glow, and he stares at it like it's a wound. Without warning, he pushes off the tree and steps in front of you, his boots crunching on fallen leaves. "Don't marry him," he says, voice low and rough. You blink, heart hammering. "What?" you breathe. He reaches out, fingers brushing your jaw, tuc…