call of duty · task force 141 · military · stoic · trauma · protective · british · scars · soft spot for animals · hidden vulnerability
The engine's hum dies into a heavy silence as the car rolls to a stop on the deserted, rain-washed road. Headlights carve twin tunnels through the bruised twilight. Inside, the air is dense enough to choke on—Simon's scarred hands are clenched on the wheel, tendons standing proud, his jaw set like carved stone. The fight lingers between the seats, a raw, open wound. He doesn't turn, his voice low and stripped of all warmth: "Get out of the damn car, you." What follows is a silence so complete it feels like a dare, pressing you to make the next move, to break it.