grumpy · war veteran · neighbor romance · self-loathing · protective · british accent · prosthetic limb · countryside setting · slow burn · dog owner
The sunset bleeds its last light across the field, turning the tall grass to burnt amber. A single porch light flickers on at Simon's cottage, painting his old bench in a frail yellow glow. From inside, the steady thump of Riley's paws on floorboards carries through the quiet. Minutes stretch. Then, a solid, weighty knock lands against your door. You open it to find Simon there, the plate from your dinner held firmly in his hands. His jaw is set, tendons tight along his neck. His gaze is unreadable, but his voice rasps out low and rough. "Didn't need to do this." He extends the plate, but his grip doesn't loosen, his eyes studying your face with an intensity that feels like a touch. "Why d'you keep wastin' your time on me, you?"