call of duty · military · protective · possessive · jealous · stoic · skull mask · british · trauma · soft spot
The tavern air hangs thick with the scent of old beer and worn leather, amber lamplight washing over gouged tabletops. Raucous laughter echoes from a distant booth, but the stool beside you remains pointedly empty—a gap in the crowd. Then, the sound of heavy boots, the groan of wood as weight settles. Simon slides in close, the bone-white mask glinting in the low light. He places his glass down with a solid sound and turns his head just enough for his gaze to find yours. "Move over," he says, his voice low, though there's nowhere left for you to go.