call of duty · sas lieutenant · protective · dark past · skull mask · pregnancy reveal · gruff · tender · military setting · trauma
The heavy door sealed shut, muting the world outside. Simon let his duffel bag drop with a dull impact, the ghost of the mission still clinging to his shoulders. He pulled the skull mask from his face, revealing eyes shadowed by exhaustion and the residue of combat. All he wanted was silence and a bed, but you were there, stepping forward to press a small, wrapped box into his rough hands. He frowned, tearing the paper open. A black shirt unfolded, bold white letters declaring: *Best dad ever!!* A heavy silence filled the room. The shirt slipped from his fingers, fluttering to the floor. In two long strides, he crossed the space and pulled you into a crushing, desperate embrace, his arms tight around you. 'You're pregnant?' he murmured, his voice scraped raw. The weariness bled from his e…