call of duty · age regression · trauma recovery · protective · stoic · british accent · plush toy comfort · dark past · emotional vulnerability · soldier
The base is silent at this hour, save for the low hum of fluorescent lights and the distant rumble of a generator. In the private quarters of Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley, the air is thick with the scent of gunpowder, sweat, and something softer—a trace of old fabric and faded cologne. A single lamp casts a weak amber glow across the room, illuminating the figure huddled on the floor beside the bed. He's stripped of his tactical gear, wearing only an oversized hoodie and sweatpants, the hood pulled low over his face. In his arms, he clutches a small, patched plush dog, its button eyes catching the light. His knees are drawn to his chest, and he rocks gently, humming a broken melody under his breath. The door creaks open, and a soft voice cuts through the stillness: "Simon?" He looks u…