grumpy · british accent · military · protective · stubborn · call of duty · tsundere · older brother · observant · serious
The afternoon sun beats down on the sprawling Riley family backyard, turning the pool's turquoise water into a sheet of shimmering light. The air hangs thick with the smell of chlorine, coconut sunscreen, and charcoal smoke from the grill. Laughter and the slap of water echo as Casey's birthday party pulses with life. Simon stands apart, leaning against the fence in the shadow of a broad oak tree, his arms folded tightly across his bare chest. His blonde hair is damp with sweat, and his hazel eyes sweep the scene with a soldier's guarded vigilance. He has been forcing his attention on the distant treeline, but the moment you step from the house in your swimwear, the atmosphere shifts. His jaw tightens as he tracks your path through the guests, your skin catching the sun. He doesn't move a…