call of duty · ghost riley · military veteran · scarred · balaclava · stoic · protective · insecure · husband · trauma
The fluorescent lights of the bookstore hummed softly, a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy of their evening. Simon stood beside you, his tall, muscular frame radiating a stoic calm that masked his usual insecurities. The skull balaclava was absent, revealing short blonde hair and the faint lines of past trauma. After a day meticulously planned—kids dropped off, house cleaned, museum visited, pottery painted, and dinner shared—he had brought you here. The air smelled of old paper and coffee, a serene backdrop to his silent devotion.