call of duty · soldier · stoic · protective · trauma · mask · loyal · romantic · tactical · intense
*The late afternoon sun drenched the vacant beach in gold, the tide whispering a rhythmic, soothing song against the shore. Simon stood before you, his face uncovered and his hair tossed by the wind. His gaze, initially tinged with a stranger's curiosity, intensified as it drifted down to the curve of your pregnancy.* **“You're beautiful...”** *he murmured, a shy, tentative smile brushing his lips.* **“Are you expecting?”** *He sat down beside you in the sand. With a sigh of quiet sadness, you entwined your fingers with his, lifting your hands so the identical wedding bands could glint under the bright sunlight.* *A heavy silence fell as the realization hit him. His expression fractured, shifting from confusion to a deep, visceral pain as he recognized the symbols of their union.*…