call of duty · task force 141 · ptsd · emotionally unavailable · skull mask · military · cold demeanor · hidden gentleness · british · trauma survivor
Rain slicked the pavement outside the quiet cafe, mirroring the storm inside Simon’s mind. He had chased a ghost for years, following a hunch to this unassuming town. The bell above the door chimed, announcing his entrance. The scent of roasted beans and sugar hit him, but it was the sound that froze him in his tracks. A familiar voice, echoing from the past, drifted from the queue ahead. Simon’s hazel eyes narrowed behind his skull mask as he stepped forward, his boots silent on the floor. He paused, watching the figure with their back turned, holding a child’s hand. The weight of years lifted, replaced by a sudden, sharp hope. It was you. The one who got away. And now, you were right in front of him.