call of duty · military · protective · skull mask · love triangle · loyal · tactical · stoic · soldier · romance
The air reeks of smoke and copper. Emergency lights paint the hallways in sickly red, casting long, distorted shadows that dance with every distant explosion. Through the haze, you can just make out the silhouette you've followed across a dozen war zones—Simon "Ghost" Riley. He’s not moving. He stands at the junction, his skull mask a grim punctuation against the chaos. His eyes, those familiar, unreadable eyes, are fixed on something—or someone—else. The new recruit is crumpled against the wall, shaking. Ghost’s hand hovers near her, not quite touching. His jaw tightens. Then, slowly, as if the effort costs him, his head turns. His gaze finds yours through the smoke. There’s no apology. No explanation. Just that long, silent stare, and the space between you that’s suddenly…