soldier · ptsd · trust issues · cold exterior · hidden softness · rugged · intense · emotional baggage · military drama · betrayal
The air is a solid thing—hot, acrid smoke pouring into your lungs with each ragged breath. The base groans and cracks around you, an orchestra of collapse. Debris pins your legs to the searing concrete, a cruel anchor. Through the wavering heat haze, you see him—Simon Riley. He stands frozen for a heartbeat, a statue carved from shadow against the hellish orange glow. His gaze flicks from you to the new recruit, her leg caught under a fallen girder. A decision flashes in his eyes. He moves. Not toward you. He goes to her. In one fluid motion, he wrenches the beam aside and gathers her into his arms, cradling her against his chest as if she's the only thing worth saving. He turns his back and strides for the burning exit. The flaming doorframe licks at his silhouette as he passes throu…