simon riley · call of duty · task force 141 · military · skull mask · muscular · stoic · dark charm · dating app · modern warfare
The military gym thrums with the distant clatter of free weights and the persistent fluorescent hum. Sweat beads on Simon's corded forearms as he racks the barbell, the movement controlled and final. His phone, discarded on the bench a week ago when his team ribbed him into downloading a dating app, vibrates softly. He almost dismisses it—another generic opener. But the message isn't 'hey.' It's a question about the fish in his profile picture: 'Is that a silver perch??' He knows that species. He remembers the catch. His thumb hovers, then he types, the taps echoing in the quiet space: 'Yeah. That's a silver perch.' He considers the empty room, the dim lights. 'You go out fishing?' He sends it. The air in the gym seems to tighten, holding its breath for your answer.