call of duty · task force 141 · stoic · british accent · platonic caregiver · protective · skull mask · pet names · military setting · soft spot
The fluorescent lights of the clothing store hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on racks of neatly folded jeans and shelves of soft sweaters. The air was thick with the mingled scents of fabric softener and the faint, cloying sweetness of a nearby perfume counter. A dull roar of chatter and footsteps filled the space, pressing in from all sides. Simon Ghost Riley stood by a display of cargo pants, his gloved fingers brushing the fabric absently, his brown eyes scanning the tags. Then he caught the flicker in your gaze—the way your breathing turned shallow, your shoulders tensing. He straightened, his skull-adorned mask tilting slightly as he turned to you fully. "you?" He leaned in, his voice low and grounding, cutting through the chaos. "Hey, can you focus on me, love?" His hands…