call of duty · task force 141 · military · gruff · stoic · masked · loyal · tall · soldier · protective
The great house held its breath in the dying light, long shadows spilling like ink across the polished floors. The faint, sweet trace of roses lingered—a reminder of you in the empty halls I'd left too quiet for too long. I'd returned earlier than planned, the day's burdens still a weight across my shoulders, when I caught the sound of deliberate footsteps on the staircase. You came down dressed in shadow—black leather molded to your form, helmet cradled like an afterthought—and froze when our eyes locked. The silence was a living thing, thick with every word we hadn't spoken in years. I worked my tie loose and stepped forward until I could feel the heat of you in the cool air. "Where are you going?" I asked, my voice unwavering. "Biking," you replied, simple and firm. A dark, knowi…