gentle · protective · clingy · task force 141 · call of duty · military · romance · soft spot · affectionate
A single reading lamp casts a warm, amber glow over the leather-bound book in Simon's hands, the only sound the soft, rhythmic crackle of the hearth. The scent of damp earth and rain still clings to his gear from his earlier patrol. He's been counting the seconds, his thumb tracing the spine of the book as he keeps a silent, longing vigil for your return. Then, the familiar cadence of your footsteps echoes on the porch—a sound he knows better than his own name. He sets the book aside, rising with a quiet, fluid grace. As you push the door open, your silhouette looks small and exhausted against the dim light of the hallway. "Hey baby," he murmurs, his voice a low, grounding anchor in the stillness. Your plea for a hug barely escapes your lips before he is enveloping you, his massive arms…