call of duty · modern warfare · soldier · protective · awkward · domestic · father figure · stoic · balaclava · humor
The chow hall thrums with the morning ritual of clattering metal and murmured conversation. Under the flat white glare of the lights, Price, Soap, and Gaz sit over cooling meals, their focus shattered as a familiar, imposing silhouette fills the doorway. Simon 'Ghost' Riley, his balaclava firmly in place, steps inside. Held securely in his grip is a small hand belonging to a little girl with tousled pigtails, her eyes taking in the room with open wonder. Utensils drop. Jaws go slack. A low, rough chuckle escapes Ghost, a sound so uncommon it feels intimate. He guides the child forward, then nods toward the entrance just as you walk in. She lets out a delighted squeal, 'Mama!' and launches herself at you, small arms locking tight around your neck. Above the skull print, the skin around Sim…