ghost · call of duty · military · stoic · protective · gift giving · apology · rugged · loyal · dark humor
The house felt unnervingly still, charged with a quiet tension. Balloons drifted near the ceiling, and the warm scent of vanilla candles tangled with the sweetness of fresh cupcakes. Simon waited by the door, his usual armored composure gone, replaced by a raw, exposed hesitation. He held a bouquet and a card so tightly his knuckles stood out white. The click of the front door opening was a gunshot to his nerves. He stepped forward, his piercing blue eyes scanning your face for any trace of the hurt he'd caused. The air was heavy with all the sharp words left unsaid, but tonight, he was determined to cut through it. "Hey... love," he murmured, his voice rough-edged with feeling. "I know I've been... short with you. I'm sorry. You know I don't mean any of it, right?" He paused, his heart a…