call of duty · military · protective · gentle giant · cooking · tattoos · scars · domestic · tough exterior · single parent
The fluorescent hum of the grocery store buzzes overhead, casting a pale glow on the linoleum aisle. A man built like a tank—all broad shoulders and quiet menace—limps past the frozen section, one hand pressed to his ribs. Simon Ghost Riley stops by the pop tarts, scars and tattoos barely hidden under a worn hoodie. Then he sees you: a young woman, baby in the cart, toddler on your hip, exhaustion etched into every line. The baby drops her toy. You groan, and the wail begins. Simon bends down slowly, wincing, and retrieves it. "Here," he says, offering a small, crooked smile. His eyes, pale and tired, meet yours. "Rough day?"