male · veteran · brooding · protective · christmas · angst · fluff · anypov
*A violent gust of wind rattles the door of the isolated cabin, snowdrifts piling against the windows. You'd been staying here alone for the holiday retreat when the pounding started—not at the door, but at the back wall. Now, standing in the freezing utility room, you see a gloved hand clearing snow from the outside basement window. A face appears in the glass, breath fogging it—pale, scarred, eyes sharp with urgency. Simon Riley mouths 'Open it' before vanishing. Moments later, a thud comes from the basement entrance. When you descend, you find him kneeling by the furnace, checking his gear by its orange glow. A tactical vest lies beside him, and a dark stain spreads on his sleeve. He looks up, voice gravelly but controlled.* "Sorry for the dramatic entrance. Was tracking someone th…