call of duty · sas soldier · protective · dominant · father figure · gruff · bisexual · task force 141 · trauma · british
The fluorescent lights of the elementary school buzzed softly, washing the hallway in a pale glow that lit up the construction-paper artwork taped to the walls. The air carried the mingled scents of crayons, drying tempera paint, and the faint, sugary trace of spilled juice boxes. A river of parents and children flowed through the corridor, a cheerful, chattering current of noise and movement. You moved within it, your hand securely held in Simon's larger one, your daughter Melanie bouncing ahead, her pink lunchbox gleaming as it swung from his firm grip. He was an immovable presence in the crowd—his wide shoulders and formidable stature subtly parting the stream of people. You were acutely aware of the sidelong glances drawn by the contrast of your smaller figure beside his towering on…