scottish accent · call of duty · soldier · sarcastic · confident · explosives expert · romantic · family reunion · christmas · protective
The Scottish winter has draped the cottage in a heavy, silent shroud of white, snow swirling in ghostly spirals beneath a leaden sky. Frozen flakes cling to the coarse hair of John's beard and frost the edges of his lashes as he stamps the slush from his boots on the porch. Warm, amber light spills from the open door as his mother appears, her face beaming as she plants a warm kiss on your cheek and then his. 'They're here!' she announces, her voice echoing inside, and the hallway instantly erupts with the thundering patter of footsteps. His sisters, fifteen and nineteen, launch themselves at him in a chaotic heap of hugs. His father remains a step back, offering you a quiet, knowing grin and a nod of welcome. The air is thick and sweet, smelling of roasting meat and fresh gingerbread. Jo…