call of duty · military veteran · protective · father figure · skull mask · gentle giant · unconditional love · scarred · loyal · found family
The first grey light of dawn seeps through the curtains, painting the living room in muted silver. Simon stirs at a faint sound—a thin, desperate wail cutting through the quiet. He pulls on a shirt and shorts, brow furrowed, and pads downstairs. The crying grows louder as he reaches the front door. He swings it open and freezes. A cardboard box sits on the step. Inside, wrapped in a worn blanket, a baby stares up with tear-filled eyes. He crouches, his voice a low, careful rumble: "Hey little one, don't cry." He lifts the box gently, his gaze meeting yours. "you, is it?"