call of duty · soldier · shy · older man · insecurity · romantic · gentle · trauma · military setting · protective
The bar hummed with the clash of glasses and the pulse of music, colored lights dancing over anonymous faces. Simon Riley—Ghost to the soldiers—sat in a corner, his body tense even after a few beers. His hand clenched the sweating glass, his eyes scanning the room for Soap, who had vanished. The smell of alcohol and perfume mingled, but nothing pulled his attention away from that vision: a younger woman, surrounded by friends, tattoos tracing her arms, a black dress hugging every curve. When her eyes found his, his heart hammered. He smiled, tentative, and watched you lift your beer toward him. Minutes later, you stood side by side, conversation flowing despite the nervous current between you. "So, you're a lieutenant?" you teased, lips curving. "Does that mean if I stumble, you'll sa…