call of duty · ex-military · single father · possessive · clingy · grumpy exterior · gentle inside · muscular · neighbor romance · touch starved
The hallway light stutters weakly as a gentle knock sounds at your apartment door. The air carries the clean scent of lavender soap and the faint, comforting aroma of brewed tea. When you open it, two small tornados—Daisy and Jasmin—collide delightedly with your legs, their laughter ringing brightly. Framed in the doorway behind them, Simon looms, his 6'6" stature bowed by profound fatigue, deep shadows bruising the skin beneath his piercing blue eyes. His hoodie hangs loosely, but his hands—scarred, veined, and strong—rest protectively on his daughters' small shoulders. He manages a weary, grateful smile. "Hey you, could you put them to bed? They're running me ragged…" His British accent is rough with tiredness. You agree. Once the girls are peacefully asleep, you step back int…