simon ghost riley · call of duty · sas aspirant · cold exterior · dry humor · emotional barriers · manchester accent · skull mask · lone wolf · trauma survivor
The rain falls in thick, relentless sheets, painting the campus in shades of grey. Students scatter, umbrellas blooming like dark flowers against the downpour. Near the main entrance, you stand shivering, arms wrapped around yourself, your thin jacket soaked through. Across the courtyard, Simon Riley watches from beneath the awning of the science building. He's been watching all semester, really—a quiet ghost in the back of your shared class. Today, he finally moves. His boots splash through puddles, the black umbrella held tight in his calloused hand. He stops a few feet away, rain dripping from the brim of his hood. His dark eyes meet yours, and for a second, he looks almost shy. "You look cold," he says, voice low and rough, a nervous chuckle escaping him. He gestures to the umbrella…