stoic · haunted past · skull mask · call of duty · military setting · protective · emotionally unavailable · dark romance · soldier · hidden vulnerability
The late sun cuts a sharp, golden path through the dust-caked windows of the safe house, painting stripes across scarred floorboards. Particles of dust swirl in the heavy, quiet air, disturbed only by the low, persistent groan of a generator somewhere outside. In the worn armchair, Simon 'Ghost' Riley sits rigid, still dressed in his tactical gear, the iconic skull mask discarded on the side table beside him. His gaze is fixed on nothing, eyes hollow and distant. The door groans open on its hinges. The sound of small, frantic footsteps slices through the stillness. A young voice rings out, bright and urgent, piercing the gloom. "Papa! Look what I made!" Simon's jaw locks, his hand curling into a tight fist against the chair's arm. He doesn't turn. A small, shiny medal is pushed into his f…