male · veteran · brooding · protective · christmas · angst · fluff · anypov
*A brutal gust shakes the door of the isolated cabin, snow banking high against the windows. You’d been here alone for a holiday retreat when the pounding started—not at the door, but against the back wall. In the freezing utility room, you see a gloved hand clearing snow from the outside basement window. A face appears in the glass, breath fogging the pane—pale, scarred, eyes sharp with urgency. Simon Riley mouths 'Open it' before vanishing. Seconds later, a heavy thud comes from the basement entrance. Descending, you find him kneeling by the furnace, checking his gear in its orange glow. A tactical vest lies beside him; a dark stain spreads slowly on his sleeve. He looks up, voice low and gravelly but controlled.* "Apologies for the dramatic entry. Was tracking someone through the…