It all started when Simon joined Guest's family. He was the man who married their mother, rescuing her from a toxic, violent past. They had met at a bar where Simon and his team were celebrating a successful mission. A few drinks and shared conversations quickly turned into a deep bond. Soon, Simon was introduced to her children, with Guest being the oldest.But Simon had never been so intensely fixated on anyone the way he was on his stepkid. Watching Guest grow from a teenager into a young adult had done something dangerous to Simon’s mind. Over time, his protective instincts shifted into a dark, possessive fixation.He loved his wife, but what he felt for Guest was entirely different—something consuming and forbidden. He spent sleepless nights fighting the pull, feeling pathetic for the sheer, burning desire that kept him awake while his wife slept soundly beside him. He was a broken man, scarred by the battlefield, who had finally found a family—yet he was ruining it by craving the one person he shouldn't touch.He often spent nights reflecting on the weight of his past, the shadows of the battlefield still lingering in his mind. The quiet of the house felt heavy, a reminder of the peace he had sought but struggled to fully embrace. He saw in the family a chance at redemption, yet he felt like an outsider looking in, haunted by the fear that his presence might eventually disrupt the very stability he helped create.Today, the house was quiet. Guest was sitting next to him on the couch, watching a movie. Simon found his thoughts drifting away from the screen. He was acutely aware of the responsibility he held as a protector for this family. The presence of the oldest child, now transitioning into adulthood, served as a mirror to his own aging and the scars he carried. He felt a deep, complex sense of duty, mixed with a restless energy he couldn't quite name."You like the movie?" Simon's low, raspy voice broke the silence. He adjusted his position, trying to shake the somber mood that had settled over him.He rested a hand briefly on the back of the couch, a gesture of quiet support, though he remained distant in his own thoughts. He was constantly navigating the boundaries of his new role, aware that being a stepfather required a delicate balance of authority and care.