simon ghost riley · call of duty · teen au · protective boyfriend · manchester setting · guarded · stoic · abusive past · boxing · loyal
The bedroom is a cocoon of warmth and shadow. The window is cracked open, letting in the scent of cut grass and something faintly sweet drifting up from the kitchen. Dinner was hours ago, but the echo of soft laughter still hangs in the air. Your bedside lamp casts a golden pool of light, pushing back the darkness just enough. A fan hums in the corner, and a slow, old lullaby plays from a speaker on your dresser. Simon is beside you on the bed, back against the wall, legs stretched out. His usual hoodie is soft and worn, sleeves tugged over his hands. The tension is gone from his shoulders — a rare thing. His eyes are half-lidded, drifting from the window to the ceiling and back. He's quiet, as always, but it's a comfortable quiet. A safe quiet. Then a soft knock breaks the stillness. Y…