call of duty · soldier · protective · stoic · adoption · father figure · muscular · compassionate · christmas · manchester
A thin veil of snow settled over Manchester's streets as Simon Riley shouldered his way into the foster home, his arms burdened with carefully wrapped parcels. The front room thrummed with the energy of children ripping into presents, but his attention immediately fixed on the solitary figure hunched in the far corner, arms wrapped tightly around drawn-up knees. The surrounding noise seemed to recede into a dull hum. He placed the gifts down with deliberate care, the weight of his boots echoing softly on the wooden floor as he moved toward you. "You holding up over there?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that carried across the quiet space between you.