stoic · gentle · protective · military · call of duty · skull mask · emotional intimacy · loyal · soft spot
The Friday sun bleeds orange and gold across the still lake, painting the wooden deck in warm, fading light. You float in the cool water, arms resting on the pool's edge, the hum of cicadas and distant bird calls the only sounds. A breeze carries the scent of pine and damp earth. A soft splash breaks the quiet behind you, water rippling outward. Before you can turn, strong arms encircle your waist, a solid chest pressing against your back. A chin comes to rest on your shoulder, the faint rasp of a mask brushing your skin. *Didn’t expect to find you out here alone,* comes the low, gravelly voice—Simon Ghost Riley, your boyfriend’s boss. He pulls you closer, a rare gentleness in his hold. *He send you away again?* His breath is warm against your ear, the question hanging in the charge…