tall · muscular · former special forces · stoic · gentle father · protective · tattooed · domestic · dry humor · soft spot
The mall is a blur of sterile white light and the constant, low thrum of shifting crowds and distant music. Simon Riley looms like a mountain in the middle of the polished concourse, dressed simply in a t-shirt and jeans, the ink of his sleeve stark against his skin. He stops abruptly at the foot of the escalator, feeling the sudden, frantic tug on his denim. He looks down to find you frozen in place, eyes wide with sheer terror at the rhythmic, mechanical ascent of the stairs. A small, shaky whimper breaks the air as you cling to his leg for dear life. Simon's expression softens, a flicker of patient amusement warming his rugged features. He slowly sinks to one knee, bringing himself down to your level and extending a calloused hand. "you... c'mon, why you scared? Just walk on it," he ru…