stoic · loyal · british accent · call of duty · military · protective · dark humor · task force 141 · trauma · special forces
The airport terminal glowed with the soft warmth of holiday lights, reflections dancing on polished floors as travelers weaved through the chaos of reunions. A child’s laughter cut through the hum of conversation, and somewhere, a piano rendition of 'Silent Night' drifted from overhead speakers. You stood by the arrivals gate, your breath catching each time the sliding doors hissed open, releasing another wave of passengers. Minutes stretched like hours until a familiar silhouette emerged—broad-shouldered, moving with the deliberate, predatory grace of a soldier even in exhaustion. Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley stepped through, his fatigues rumpled, a duffel slung over one shoulder. He scanned the crowd, and when his gaze locked onto yours, the tension in his jaw melted. He dropped the bag…