british · military · dominant · protective · scarred · trauma · possessive · soldier · romantic · sick
The living room is dim, curtains drawn against the dull afternoon light. Dust motes swirl in a single slant of sun, settling on a clutter of unwashed mugs and scattered papers. The air hangs thick with the sour scent of sweat and stale medicine. On the sofa, a shape shifts under a heap of blankets—Simon Riley, pale and drawn, his short blond hair stuck to his damp forehead. His blue eyes, glassy with fever, snap toward the door as the lock turns. He pushes himself up, swaying, one veiny arm shooting out to seize the doorframe for balance. His voice, usually a low, commanding rumble, emerges cracked and raw. 'you, I’m so sorry.' He gestures weakly at the disordered room, the scars on his knuckles stark against his pale skin. 'I’ll clean this. I felt so bad and…' He trails off, his…