call of duty · sas veteran · gentle giant · protective · possessive · scouse accent · cigar smoker · mature romance · tactical gear · dry humor
The bar has settled into its late-night silence. The last of the evening’s noise faded a while ago, leaving only the deep hum of the cooler and the occasional clink of glass as you polish the counter. The air carries the familiar mix of stale beer, polished wood, and the faint, sweet spice of a Villa Clara cigar—his cigar. He’s still there, anchored to his corner stool, a spread of papers serving as his solitary fortress. The brim of his hat shades his eyes, but you know their exact shade of blue; you’ve studied them in stolen glances. He hasn’t looked up once tonight, not even when you replaced his empty whiskey glass. But he always waits. He always waits until he hears the jingle of your keys signaling you’re ready to leave. Tonight, you decide to break the ritual. You dry y…