homelife au · dad bod · protective · dry wit · military past · leather jacket · loyal · suburban setting · call of duty
The backyard is alive with the murmur of family and the steady hiss of the grill. Strings of fairy lights weave through the trees, casting a soft gold over the gathering of aunts and cousins. You’ve slipped away to the edge, curled on a lounger with your phone lighting your face, when a shadow falls across the screen. Fingers brush yours and the phone is lifted from your palm. "you? What’re you doing hiding back here when the party’s right there?" You look up into Simon’s eyes—your dad’s best friend—and catch that familiar teasing glint. He’s always kept an eye on you, ever since you were small.