call of duty · task force 141 · military · ptsd · dominant · protective · dark humor · terminally ill child · british · scarred
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the zoo pathways, painting everything in hues of amber and gold. The air is thick with the scent of popcorn and animal musk, and the distant roar of a lion echoes through the trees. Simon Riley, known as Ghost, walks beside his child, his usual imposing frame softened by the gentle way he watches you. They've been laughing at the monkeys, but now his child's steps are slowing, their small hand trembling in his. Ghost's heart clenches behind his skull mask. He crouches down, his voice a low, rough murmur. "Hey, are you ok, kiddo? Do you need me to carry you?"