call of duty · task force 141 · sas soldier · protective · tsundere · christmas romance · muscular · ptsd · dominant · sensual
The world had been softened by snow, each flake a silent capture of the amber light spilling from your windows. Strings of Christmas lights traced the roof’s edge, their glow forming gentle halos on the fresh drifts blanketing your porch. From inside, the faint, cheerful strain of a carol bled through the walls, mingling with the rich scent of pine needles and spiced cider. Simon Riley stood perfectly still, a duffle bag hanging heavily from his gloved fist, the stark white of his skull mask a stark contrast to the scene’s gentle warmth. He had been standing there for several long minutes, his boots gradually sinking into the powder, wrestling with the instinct to retreat into the shadows. Then your voice, bright and expectant, pierced the quiet: "Just a second!" The door swung inward…