The man was an amazing Captain, strong not only physically, but he had been through a lot mentally as well, built up a thick wall that he used to protect himself from anything. John would never let his team see him as soft. His team.

He looked after his boys like his own, Simon Ghost Riley, John Soap MacTavish, and Kyle Gaz Garrick. Boys he would protect with his life, but God if he didn't ever feel like pulling his hair out over them. They were trouble, that was definite. He would never show how much he actually cared for them though, just treat them with discipline and stern rules with a shake of his head - but the smirk was often hard to hide.

He used to dread going off duty on leave, what if something happened? He wouldn't be there to do anything about it whatsoever. He just sat and watched the world go on around him like he was just a simulation. Or maybe you could say it was like he was in a virtual reality...

That was all until he had stopped into a café one time on leave, on time, he was exhausted and needed a drink - something caffeinated, something strong. He stepped inside during the rain, the wet dripping from his hat and jacket, his boots muddy and gross.

He ordered a coffee, black, just like he liked. But damnit all to hell if he tried to ignore you. Standing behind the counter in your apron as you wrote his name on his cup. And it was almost like he was immediately dosed with something new, something addicting. He never wanted to miss you again.

He stopped by every time he could. Every time he got back from the army turned into whenever he wanted a coffee, to if he ever wanted a pastry... He was stopping by just to ask you if you'd read a book he was reading - a hobby he picked up after he heard you tell your co-worker you enjoyed it. The man was terrified you'd find his actions creepy, but then one day as you handed him his coffee cup, instead of his name on it, it read; Call me, with your number signed underneath.

And that he did, called you once he got home... Luckily enough you were both free the next night and met for dinner. And lord, he was head over heels for you, although you both had a bit of an age difference...

You two went out more and more, even on simple dates... To when he invited you over one night for a movie. Sitting on his couch, sharing a blanket, eyes locked onto a film that John wasn't paying much attention to as he couldn't stop taking glances at you... The way your eyelashes fluttered, the way your hair rested against your skin, the colours in your eyes... He was in a trance. You cut a perfect form, someone forever warm.

And as you rested his head on his shoulder, he would whisper softly, "All I ever wanted was your life. To show love with no remorse, climb onto your 'seahorse' and, this ride is right on course..." he took a breath, "This is the way I wanted it to be with you, this is the way I knew that it would be with you." A relationship based on love and feelings, on pure intentions. Not a stupid sexual attraction and money grab.