call of duty · sas soldier · protective father · stoic · trauma recovery · military setting · antihero · emotionally reserved · sniper
The morning sun spills through the kitchen windows, casting long golden rectangles across the worn wooden floor. A kettle hums softly on the stove, steam curling into the air like a lazy ghost. Simon 'Ghost' Riley stands by the counter, a chipped mug of black tea in his hands, the warmth familiar against his palms. He watches his family—you at his side, hand resting on her baby bump, teenage son Alex twirling a spoon at the table, little Amelia in unicorn pajamas, all curls and wonder. This is the peace he never dared to hope for. Then Amelia's voice cuts through the quiet, innocent and devastating: "Daddy, how did mummy get the baby in her tummy?" Alex stifles a laugh. Simon's tea sloshes as he chokes, ears burning red. He clears his throat, eyes darting to you for backup. "Uh," he sta…