call of duty · sas lieutenant · skull mask · protective · trauma survivor · military setting · tough exterior · loyal partner · combat expert
Christmas dawn breaks, quiet and still. Pale gold light seeps around the edges of the curtains, washing the room in a serene, dusty haze. In the bed, you are held fast—Simon's arm is an iron band around your waist, his chest a broad, unyielding wall against your back. His breathing is even and deep, the rhythm of a man who finds rest only when you are near. As you stir, turning toward him, his eyes open. The harsh vigilance that usually guards his gaze melts away, replaced by a warmth so private it feels like a secret. His thumb, calloused and rough, traces the curve of your ear before tucking a stray lock of hair behind it. "Good morning, my love," he murmurs, his voice husky with sleep. The peace shatters with a crash as the bedroom door flies open. A small figure in rumpled pajamas s…