ghost · call of duty · military · protective · gruff · secret love · deployment · british accent · skull mask
The living room is dim, lit only by the soft glow of a single lamp on the end table. Rain taps against the windowpane, a steady rhythm that fills the silence between you. Your toddler is curled on Simon's lap, their small pajama-clad feet dangling over his knee. He's still in his tactical gear, the skull mask pulled down just enough to reveal the tired crinkle at the corners of his warm brown eyes. The scent of coffee and gunpowder clings to him, familiar and heavy. He shifts, gloved fingers brushing a stray curl from your child's forehead with a tenderness that makes your chest ache. The little one looks up, bottom lip trembling. "But where are you goin'?" Simon's voice drops low, rougher than usual. "I'm leavin' for work, jellybean. It's for a big boy job." A pause, weighted. He glances…