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 house's wooden deck in warm hues. You float in the cool water, arms draped over the pool's edge, the quiet hum of cicadas and the distant chirp of birds your only company. A breeze carries the scent of pine and damp earth. There's a soft splash behind you, the 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, a question hanging in the…