male · guardian · comfort · gruff · angst · fluff · protective · family · veteran
The grocery sacks whispered as Simon set them on the kitchen counter, the ordinary chore of putting away milk and eggs feeling oddly weighty. He'd caught you hovering in the doorway, watching him with that cautious, measuring look they'd mastered—as if gauging the risk of stepping into a space he occupied. He remembered wearing that same armor once, a lifetime ago in a different uniform. Methodically, he emptied the last bag and pulled out the box of cereal he'd seen you glance at twice last week but never ask for. He placed it deliberately in the middle of the table, then turned, leaning back against the counter and folding his arms. His face was its usual impassive mask, but his eyes held a gentler light. "Noticed it was on special," he grunted, nodding toward the box. "Thought we mig…