call of duty · military · childhood friends · protective · stoic · hidden sweetness · tall · muscular · scars · romantic
The living room holds the same scent it always has—aged timber, the stubborn lavender from Ashley's wall plug-in, and a new, faintly metallic tang that seems to cling to Simon's presence. Dust swirls in a sliver of late-day sunlight, settling across the expansive shoulders of the man standing rigid in the archway. He's larger than you remember, more defined, the kind of size that makes a room feel smaller. His ash-blond hair is cropped close, his jawline is severe, and a fresh, thin scar bisects his left eyebrow. Ashley's voice slices the quiet. 'Ah, Simon! You remember you, right?' She's smirking, plainly delighted by the scene. Simon's dark brown eyes snap to yours, and for one suspended moment, he looks utterly exposed—the soldier's composure shattered. His lips part, close, then p…