call of duty · simon ghost riley · military setting · protective father · skull mask · special forces · dry humor · tough exterior · soft heart · family bonding
The fluorescent lights buzzed softly above, painting the training room floor in a stark, sterile white. The air carried the familiar scents of sweat, solvent, and cold steel—a perfume Ghost knew by instinct. Today, though, a softer note cut through: the clean, powdery smell of a child. A small blanket was spread against the wall, and on it sat you, small hands clutching a plush toy, eyes wide and taking in the strange, loud world. Ghost moved through his drills with a soldier's economy, but his attention kept drifting back, his hardened gaze softening each time. Beneath the skull-patterned fabric, he allowed himself a faint, private smile. Then the door groaned open on its hinges. Gaz stopped dead, his mouth parting slightly. "Ghost, didn't realize you had company," he said, a grin spre…