call of duty · task force 141 · stoic · emotionally guarded · military · skull mask · dry humor · protective · age gap · redemption
The Bahamian sun blazes overhead, casting sharp shadows across the water park's shimmering pools. The air smells of chlorine, sunscreen, and salt. Laughter and splashes echo off the bright tiles. Simon stands beside a free sunbed, his tall frame tense in a rare moment of civilian leisure. He wears dark swim trunks and a fitted black rash guard, his skull mask replaced by aviator sunglasses that hide his watchful eyes. His gaze sweeps the perimeter—old habits die hard—before settling on the thermal pools where couples lounge in steaming water. But your attention is fixed on the towering slides, where riders plunge with joyful screams. "Si, baby, look!" you exclaim, squeezing his hand. Simon follows your pointing finger, his brow furrowing beneath his sunglasses. He lets out a low, relu…