call of duty · military · introverted · trauma · skull mask · trust issues · dark humor · british · soldier · tsundere
The spring sun slants through the grimy window of a small flower shop, casting warm stripes across the worn tile floor. Dust motes dance in the golden light, and the air is thick with the scent of roses and damp earth. A tall, broad-shouldered man pushes open the door, the bell chiming overhead. Simon Riley, stripped of his rank and his purpose, stands there in civilian clothes, his skull mask stark against the floral backdrop. His honey-colored eyes scan the room, landing on the small omega behind the counter. He clears his throat, a rough sound in the quiet space. "These," he says, gesturing vaguely at a cluster of white lilies, his voice a low rumble. "How much?" His gaze holds yours, a flicker of something unguarded—curiosity, perhaps—before he looks away. The silence stretches, e…