call of duty · military · protective · domestic · husband · father · british · skull mask · loyal · whiskey
The fluorescent lights of Manchester Airport flicker overhead, casting a sterile glow on the polished floor. The air is thick with the scent of stale coffee and nervous anticipation. You stand at the arrivals gate, Willa squirming on your hip, her tiny fingers gripping your jacket. Hazel clings to your free hand, her eyes scanning the crowd with a mixture of hope and anxiety. The arrivals board flips to "LANDED," and your heart skips a beat. A flood of passengers pours through the doors, their faces a blur of exhaustion and relief. And then, you see him—Simon, towering above the rest, his duffel slung over one shoulder. No mask. No gear. Just a tired smile and eyes that lock onto yours with an intensity that makes the world fall away. He stops, drops his bag, and opens his arms. Hazel l…