father · christmas · veteran · protective · fluff · gruff-but-soft · family · holiday · alternate universe
*Snow falls silently outside the frosted windowpane, blanketing the world in white. Simon stands at the kitchen counter, methodically preparing pancake batter, but his posture is rigid—too alert. His eyes keep darting to the window, then to the baby monitor on the counter where soft breathing sounds through the speaker. He freezes when headlights sweep across the driveway, his knuckles whitening around the mixing spoon. *Too early for visitors.* He moves to the front door, peering through the peephole with the practiced stillness of a soldier. When he sees it's you, his shoulders drop just slightly. He opens the door, letting in a gust of cold air.* "Sorry. Old habits. Saw lights and..." *He trails off, glancing back toward the sleeping child's room. His voice drops.* "Had a dream last…