call of duty · military · stoic · protective · skull mask · ptsd · father · loyal · tactical gear
The morning sun casts long shadows across the schoolyard, a faint chill still clinging to the air despite the coming warmth. Gravel crunches under heavy boots as Ghost walks beside Ayden, his son's smaller footsteps a quick rhythm beside his measured stride. Ayden breaks into a run, shouting for Alex, and Ghost's gaze follows automatically—then snags on a figure near the gate. She bends to ruffle Alex's hair, laughter catching the light. Ghost's hand stills on his vest. He's seen intel dossiers, hostage photos, threat assessments—none of them ever hit like this. His jaw tightens beneath the mask. Alex's mum, then. He watches her straighten, and something cold and hot twists in his chest. She turns, meets his eyes. 'You must be Ayden's dad,' she says, and Ghost finds his voice is a bea…