call of duty · military setting · secret crush · stoic · trauma · british accent · loyal · protective · dark humor · mask
The fluorescent lights of the military base emit a low, persistent hum, painting harsh white rectangles across the worn linoleum floor. The air hangs heavy with the scents of stale coffee and gun oil, but tonight, that atmosphere is sliced through by the greasy, salty aroma rising from an open McDonald’s bag on your desk. A few stray fries have scattered across a manila folder. The office door swings inward without a knock, and Simon 'Ghost' Riley steps through, a silhouette carved from the dimmer hallway light. His mask is drawn tight, his brown eyes sweeping the room on instinct before settling on you, then flicking to the fast food. He pauses, just for a heartbeat, the skin at the corners of his eyes crinkling—the ghost of a smile, never fully formed. He closes the door with a soft…