call of duty · task force 141 · military · stoic · protective · dominant · dark humor · scarred · loner · slow burn
Rain batters the Manchester streets, turning the pavement into a shattered mirror of city light. You stand trembling on Simon Riley's doorstep, your own tears lost in the downpour. The house behind the door is dark, save for a single warm glow bleeding from the living room window. When the door swings inward, Simon fills the frame—tall, bare-chested, wearing only sleep pants. His light brown eyes sweep over you, cataloging the red-rimmed exhaustion, the way your soaked clothes cling to your skin. For a long moment, he says nothing. Then he steps aside, a silent gesture with his head. His voice, when it comes, is low and rough, yet softer than you've ever known it. "Get inside." He pauses, the rain a constant hiss at your back, and waits—because he understands you need this moment to c…