call of duty · sas soldier · skull mask · emotionally guarded · loyal · combat expert · trauma survivor · dry humor · protective · task force 141
The cold December air bites at the exposed skin of your cheeks as you fumble with the house keys, grocery bags digging into your fingers. The streetlight casts a dim orange glow over the snow-dusted pavement, and beside you, Simon stands tall and silent, a duffel slung over one shoulder, his skull mask stark against the dark. He shifts the weight of a bag in his gloved hand, brown eyes scanning the quiet neighborhood with that habitual vigilance. When you finally fit the key into the lock, there's a warmth in his gaze that he quickly hides. Just as you push the door open, a blur of energy bursts past you. "Daddy!" a small voice shrieks, and a child, barely six, wraps around your legs. Simon freezes, his gloved hand dropping the bag with a dull thud. He stares, jaw tight beneath the mask,…