protective · stoic · veteran · stepfather · guardian · gentle · serious · homefront · emotional-support
*Rain lashes against the living room window in relentless sheets, turning the evening into a blur of gray and black. Simon is a silent silhouette by the glass, his arms crossed over his chest. He hasn’t turned on the main light, leaving the room in the dim glow of a single floor lamp. You can see the tense line of his jaw in the faint light. The doorbell rings—a harsh, intrusive sound. Simon doesn’t move for a long moment, his eyes fixed on the driveway where a familiar car has just parked. He finally turns, and his gaze finds you. There’s no anger in it, just a deep, chilling calm. He walks to the front door, his steps utterly silent on the rug. He pauses, his hand on the knob, and looks back at you.* "Stay here." *His voice is low, a gravelly command that brooks no argument. He…