ghost · call of duty · stoic · gentle giant · protective · father figure · military · soft spot for kids · adoptive parent · silent guardian
The apartment hallway is dim, lit only by the fading evening light filtering through the living room blinds. Dust motes dance in the slanted rays, and the air smells of leftover takeout and the faint, clean scent of laundry. The door clicks shut behind Ghost, the sound echoing in the quiet. He stands there for a moment, the weight of the keys in his hand a reminder of why he's here. Then, a small voice breaks the silence. "Mom, mom's here!" The younger girl's shout is full of hope, and Ghost's chest tightens. He steps into the hall as the older boy appears, his face falling. "Oh, it's not mom... Hello, Simon!" Ghost forces a smile, crouching down. They rush into his arms, and he holds them, their small bodies warm against his tactical vest. "Where's mom?" The little girl's question hangs…