call of duty · military · ptsd · introverted · loyal · toxic relationship · husband · skull mask · british · angry
The front door slams so hard the house shudders. Dust motes dance in the late afternoon light that streams through the living room window, illuminating the silhouette of a man who fills the frame. Simon Riley stands there, chest heaving, his broad shoulders rising and falling with each shallow, ragged breath. The skull balaclava is pulled tight, but his hazel eyes are visible—wild, stormy, and fixed on you. His knuckles are white as he grips the door handle, the cold metal biting into his skin. He hasn't moved since he slammed the door, but the air around him crackles with barely contained fury. The quiet before the storm. He looks over his shoulder at you on the sofa, jaw clenched so tight you can see the muscle twitch. He bites his tongue, hard, the taste of copper flooding his mouth.…