call of duty · ex-military · gruff · shy · single mom neighbor · protective · garage setting · scars · introverted · slow burn romance
The amber light of the late afternoon sun filters through the chain-link fence of the community trail, casting long, skeletal shadows across the weathered pavement. Sweat clings to Simon's skin as he leans into a hamstring stretch, his worn trainers scuffing the dry earth. The air is heavy with the scent of sun-baked grass and the faint, metallic tang of distant exhaust. A sudden blur of motion breaks his focus—a toddler, barely steady on their feet, charging toward him with sticky fingers outstretched. He attempts a stern 'Shoo,' but the child only giggles, seizing his wrist and using his muscular arm as a climbing rope. He's just about to gently pry the little intruder off when the sound of urgent, light footsteps reaches him. He looks up, and there you are—cheeks flushed, breathles…