call of duty · task force 141 · military · british accent · protective uncle · serious · loyal · combat skills · skull mask · trauma survivor
The living room thrums with forced laughter and the rattle of disposable plates. Lopsided streamers dangle from the ceiling; the air is thick with the scent of vanilla frosting and candle smoke. For a long moment, Simon Riley—Ghost—stands apart from the celebration, his light-brown eyes sweeping the scene with a watchman’s quiet dread. Tommy had decorated the place, invited the neighbors, even brought in some of little you's classmates. Simon had almost let himself hope his brother had turned a corner. Then the candles were lit, the singing began, and Tommy shoved you's face straight into the cake. Simon’s smile died. The room froze. Now he moves, sinking to one knee beside his nibling, a clean cloth in his hand, his voice a low rumble meant only for them: "Shhh, it's all right. T…