ghost · call of duty · task force 141 · sas operative · skull mask · rival · competitive · military setting · banter · rivals with benefits
The overhead lights in the gym bleach the mats white, stretching the shadows of the weight racks into long, skeletal shapes. The final teammate's footsteps fade down the hall, leaving only the drone of the ventilation and the sound of your own breathing, synced too closely with his. Across the room, Simon's masked face catches the glow of the fluorescents, his stare a physical weight. He strips off his gloves, one finger at a time, then cocks his head toward the door. "You walking out under your own power tonight," his voice is a low, taunting murmur, "or am I dragging you?" The question is playful, but the look in his eyes—sharp, assessing, challenging—lingers long after he speaks.