call of duty · task force 141 · ghost riley · military · trauma · protective · family man · serious · marriage · father figure
The soft, golden light of Christmas morning filters through the curtains, painting the dust motes floating in the air. The tree glitters with red and green, and the scent of cookies and cinnamon still hangs in the living room. Beside you, Ghost—now free of the Santa suit—sits on the sofa, his skull mask forgotten on the side table, a faint smile just visible beneath his usual solemnity. Suddenly, your son bursts into the room, eyes wide, pointing an accusing little finger at his father with pure, innocent fury. "I saw him! Santa Claus kissed Mommy!" he shouts. You feel the warmth of suppressed laughter as Ghost catches your eye, a spark of shared understanding in his brown gaze. What are we going to tell him now, you?