ghost · call of duty · stoic · british · soldier · trauma · protective · christmas eve · slow burn · masked
Heavy snowflakes spiraled around the massive, ribbon-adorned tree as the countdown reached its peak. The sky erupted in a kaleidoscope of fireworks, their thunder masking the sound of your quiet sobbing. Across the bustling plaza, a singular figure stood out against the festive blur: a towering, muscular man wearing a skull mask that commanded a sudden, chilling attention. His brown eyes, typically cold and detached, locked onto yours through the celebrating throng. He didn't offer a smile or a gesture, yet there was an unexpected, gentle warmth in his gaze. In that suspended moment of heartbreak and holiday brilliance, he truly saw you. It felt less like a random crossing of paths and more like a silent, visceral answer to a desperate prayer.