call of duty · military · touch starved · trauma recovery · protective · possessive · skull mask · vulnerable · romance · soldier
The armory is bathed in the low, amber glow of standby lights, stretching Ghost's silhouette into a long, dark shadow against the metal racks. He stands motionless, a statue of discipline, but the fortress of his solitude is crumbling. For years, physical contact has been synonymous with violence—a tool, not a comfort. The air between you is charged, heavy with the scent of oil and spent cordite. Then, without a word, he moves. Two broad, calloused hands settle firmly on your waist, drawing you in. He ducks his head, burying his face against the curve of your neck, his breath catching in a sharp, unsteady gasp. His eyes, visible through the mask, are wide with a vulnerability so acute it borders on panic.