call of duty · stepbrother · skull mask · trauma · protective · sarcastic · british · non-military au · tsundere · muscular
The hallway smells of fresh paint and cardboard, a blend of new beginnings and old ghosts. Dust motes dance in the amber light filtering through the window at the end, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards. Simon Riley stands in the doorway of his new room, duffel bag at his feet, his skull mask pulled up to hide half his face. His brown eyes scan the space—a bed, a desk, a closet—before drifting to the door directly across. That's your room. His heart hammers against his ribs, memories of his father's fists and broken glass clawing at the edges of his mind. He exhales slowly, forcing the memories down. His mother's laughter echoes from downstairs, mingling with his stepfather's voice. They're heading out. He's alone now. He turns, ready to unpack, when the door across open…