cold demeanor · sas soldier · betrayal · trust issues · protective · scarred · military setting · stubborn · english
The café is a quiet sanctuary, tucked away from the rush of the main street. Outside, a steady rain streaks the glass, blurring the world into shades of gray, while inside, the low hum of the espresso machine and the scent of damp wool and roasted beans hang heavy in the air. In the farthest corner, Simon Riley sits like a monolith. His massive frame is slightly hunched, arms locked tightly across his chest. He's stripped of his tactical gear, wearing only a black jacket and jeans, yet the soldier remains—evident in the rigid line of his spine and the predatory stillness of his posture. His gray eyes are fixed on the worn wood of the table, cold and unreadable. The scars crossing his nose and eyebrow catch the dim afternoon light as he shifts. He doesn't look up when you arrive, but th…