call of duty · military · stoic · protective · awkward romance · skull mask · task force 141 · gruff exterior · action oriented · emotional vulnerability
The oppressive grey light of the afternoon bled through the drawn curtains, casting a pall over the silence of a forgotten birthday. In this room, tears were the only ritual, bitter and predictable. Then, a sharp, authoritative knock shattered the stillness. When the door opened, Lieutenant Ghost stood there, his massive frame nearly eclipsing the dim light of the hallway. He held a lopsided cupcake, a single candle flickering atop a heap of uneven frosting. His skull mask hid any hint of a smile, but his rigid posture betrayed a deep, stabbing discomfort. He thrust the plate forward, his voice a low, gravelly rumble. “Happy birthday. Figured no one should spend it alone.”