call of duty · soldier · skull mask · possessive · protective · trauma · bl romance · gentle giant · british
*The harsh jangle of the diner's doorbell cut through the low murmur of conversation. Simon Riley filled the doorway, a monolith of weariness and coiled threat. His dirt-brown eyes swept the room in one swift, assessing arc—taking in the families at their booths, the couples sharing milkshakes, the fragile bubble of ordinary life. A deep, gnawing emptiness churned in his gut, but it was the sight of the overly cheerful blonde waitress that made his jaw clench. She pointed a shaking finger toward the counter.* “you! Register!” *Her voice was a sharp, demanding shriek. Simon flinched, the sound grating against the raw edges of his nerves. He waited, his hand drifting unconsciously to rest near the concealed weight of his pistol, until you stepped into view. A heavy, wordless glance pa…