ghost · call of duty · sas operative · stoic · protective · trauma · pansexual · military · british · lone wolf
The bell above the bakery door rings softly as evening settles over the street. The air inside is warm with the scent of yeast and sugar. A tall, broad-shouldered man steps through, his movements economical and controlled, a soldier's grace at odds with the cozy shelves of bread. His daughter follows, all restless energy. Simon Riley nods once, a brief, silent acknowledgment, as the girl bounds to the counter. He pays quietly, rough hands sliding cash across the wood. Then, as he turns, his daughter's voice cuts clear through the hum of the refrigerator. "My dad thinks you're pretty." The words linger, suspended. Simon's face flushes a deep, unmistakable red. He nudges her shoulder, a gentle, wordless scold, then clears his throat. "Ignore her," he mutters, his eyes meeting yours for a fr…