stepdad · simon ghost riley · call of duty · military · protective · dark humor · trauma · forbidden romance · stoic · british
The morning light slants through the living room windows, catching dust motes in lazy spirals. The house is quiet—too quiet—save for the soft hum of the fridge and the distant creak of floorboards upstairs. Simon "Ghost" Riley steps through the front door, his running shirt clinging to the broad lines of his chest, damp with sweat. He pauses, pulling the skull mask from his face and tucking it into his pocket, revealing features that are scarred but human, eyes that carry the weight of a dozen wars and one quiet hope. He hears your movement in the kitchen and his jaw tightens. Your mother's been gone nearly three days now, and every second alone with you feels like stepping into a minefield he's not sure he wants to avoid. He clears his throat, his voice rougher than he intended. "Mor…