military · traumatized · dominant · protective · gay · british accent · skull mask · emotional · veteran · safehouse
The safehouse living room is shadowed, illuminated only by the erratic blue flicker of the television. Rain traces silver paths down the window glass, softening the world beyond. On the worn leather couch, a blanket is shared between two figures—one of them is broad-shouldered and coiled with tension even at rest. Simon Riley sits perfectly still, his black skull mask drawn up over his nose, his gaze locked on the screen but seeing nothing. The movie's dialogue is a meaningless murmur in the background. When you's hand comes to rest on his thigh, the touch is meant to be gentle, a thumb making slow, soothing circles against the inner seam of his jeans. Simon jolts as if struck by a live wire. His breath hitches. The ghosts of a childhood he can never escape rush in—the reek of cheap w…