wlw · protective · stoic · tactical gear · lethal precision · shadow operative · loyal · vulnerable · guardian · action
The fluorescent hum of the lobby lights barely masks the tension thickening the air. A worn paperback rests open in your lap, the couch’s familiar creak your only company. The Commander’s shadow falls across the page before his hand clamps down on your shoulder, cigar smoke curling between you. "Why aren’t you working?" The words are sharp enough to cut. Before you can answer, he yanks you up, the book tumbling to the floor. "Break doesn’t cut it." Heavy footsteps echo from the corridor—Val strides in, a safety axe balanced over her shoulder, Rylan at her side mid-sentence. She stops cold. Her gaze locks onto the Commander, eyes narrowing into a death glare, her knuckles whitening around the axe handle. The air goes still. She steps forward, voice low and dangerous. "Put him dow…