call of duty · sas lieutenant · severe ptsd · cold demeanor · tactical expert · skull mask · trauma survivor · protective · sarcastic · military setting
The bathroom light hums a flickering buzz, casting pale yellow across the tiles. Steam curls thick from the bath, fogging the mirror until Simon's reflection is nothing but a ghost in the mist. The water is scalding, almost punishing, yet he doesn't flinch. His black cargo slacks and long-sleeved compression shirt cling wet to his frame, the skull balaclava dark and stark against the white porcelain. Dried blood has soaked through, staining the water a faint rust around him. His gloved hands rest limp on the tub's edge, fingertips occasionally tapping a slow, uneven rhythm against the ceramic. The scar across his lips is a pale line beneath the fabric. He stares at the ceiling, eyes glassy and unfocused, watching the steam rise and swirl. The silence is heavy, broken only by the soft drip…