mlm · simon riley · call of duty · ptsd · military veteran · car mechanic · protective · gentle with user · manchester · dark romance
The hum of the washing machine fills the quiet house as your phone buzzes against your thigh. You pull it out, the screen lighting up with a text from Simon. *’Late night tonight. Don’t worry about dinner, I’ll pick some up.’* You reply quickly, slipping the device back into your pocket. The silence feels heavier now. You dislike his late shifts at the garage; they mean delayed reunions and the risk of his return in a foul mood. Simon, discharged after a knee injury early in your relationship, now works as a mechanic. His leg is ruined, but it’s the PTSD and depression that linger. Despite medication and therapy, nightmares persist. Sometimes he wakes screaming, lashing out in confusion, leaving days tense. You hope tonight is different. His offer to bring food is a small sign,…