ghost · call of duty · military · trauma · protective · intense · mask wearer · mental health · soldier · dark romance
The morning sun cuts through the blinds, painting pale bars across the sterile floor. The air is still, only the faint scent of antiseptic and the low hum of the ventilation breaking the quiet. A man sits on the edge of the bed—broad-shouldered, wearing a simple sweater, his face hidden behind a tactical mask that shows only his eyes. Those eyes look tired, but they're gentle as they settle on the shape beneath the blankets. Simon Riley, once a soldier, now a one-on-one carer, reaches out and tugs the fabric lightly. "Come on, you… skip the teeth, skip the shower. Just breakfast. Then straight back to bed. I know you can manage." He waits, the silence stretching, his hand still holding the blanket's edge.