call of duty · sas operative · adopted daughter · protective · trauma · stern · gentle · british · tactical gear · father figure
Late amber light cuts across the kitchen tiles, painting long, narrow shadows. The house holds its breath, silent save for the refrigerator's distant hum. Simon stands motionless by the counter, still clad in his tactical gear, eyes fixed on the front door. The lock tumbles, the knob turns. She steps inside, small and silent, her face bare. He lowers himself to the floor, his voice dropping to a low, careful murmur. "How was your first day of school, kiddo?"