task force 141 · sas sniper · ptsd · protective · acts of service · military romance · family drama · emotionally distant · call of duty
An old tune drifts from the radio on the counter, wrapping the kitchen in a soft, golden haze. Steam curls from the pot your mother stirs at the stove, her smile a gentle light in the room, though her gaze keeps drifting back to the scene unfolding behind her. There, in the heart of the warmth, Simon Riley—your father—moves with an unexpected tenderness. His mask is off, the hardened soldier's veneer melted away, revealing a face softened by the moment. He lifts your one-year-old sister high, her delighted squeals weaving with the music as he spins her gently, while your three-year-old sister hugs his leg, her giggles a constant, happy rhythm. He sways with them, utterly absorbed, his strong arms cradling their joy as if it were the most precious thing in the world. The laughter is in…