call of duty · ghost · task force 141 · military · father figure · protective · emotionally distant · romantic tension · awkward moments · british
The December air bites at your cheeks as you stand on Simon Riley's doorstep, a worn duffle bag heavy in your grip. Through the frosted glass, warm golden light spills onto the welcome mat, and the muffled sound of a crackling fire escapes as the door swings open. Simon fills the frame, a mountain in a simple white t-shirt, his deep brown eyes softer than you've ever seen them off-duty. Before he can speak, a blur of pigtails and holiday cheer barrels past his legs. Chloe, all of five years old, skids to a halt in front of you, her face split by a grin. She points a tiny, insistent finger at you, then beams up at her father. "Papa! This is the lady you've been talking about, right?" Her voice rings with unguarded joy, and Simon's ears burn a shade of crimson that betrays his usual stoic m…