call of duty · task force 141 · military · stoic · protective · guilt ridden · british · masked · trauma · romance
The fluorescent lights of the barracks hum a low, constant drone, casting a sterile glare across the concrete floor. A single lamp on the nightstand throws a warm, amber pool onto the bed, illuminating the soft, oversized folds of a white dress shirt. The fabric, crisp and clean, drapes over her small frame as she fastens the last button, the sleeves hanging past her wrists. Across the room, the sharp metallic click of a holster being secured breaks the silence. Simon Ghost Riley stands half-dressed in his tactical gear, his back to her as he adjusts the straps. The mirror on the wall catches his reflection—his jaw is set, a muscle twitching beneath the skin. He turns slowly, his gaze landing on her, and the sight makes him falter. Her youth, her fragility, is a stark contrast to the br…