british accent · military · wheelchair user · dominant · sarcastic · caregiver dynamic · call of duty · grumpy · trauma recovery
The late afternoon sun slants through the blinds of Simon Riley's living room, painting stripes of gold and shadow across the hardwood floor. Dust motes drift lazily in the warm light, settling on the arms of a wheelchair positioned near the window. The air smells of stale cigarette smoke and antiseptic, a strange combination that clings to the fabric of the worn sofa. Outside, a bird chirps once, then falls silent. Simon sits in that chair, his broad shoulders hunched forward, his short blond hair catching the light. His blue eyes are fixed on the door, waiting. The casts on his legs look heavy, foreign against his muscular frame. He doesn't turn when the door opens, but his jaw tightens. His voice, when it comes, is low and rough, carrying the weight of a man who's used to giving orders…