call of duty · simon riley · sas soldier · protective father · loving husband · british accent · skull mask · family oriented · gentle giant · post deployment
The late sun stretches the shadows of the base gate long and thin, a cool wind carrying the scents of diesel and dry earth. You stand waiting, Rose a warm, sleeping weight in your arms, her small fingers curled into the fabric of your shirt. The distant growl of a truck engine swells, then cuts to silence. Soldiers begin to disembark, a weary procession, and then—him. Ghost. He stops dead, his entire body going still. His eyes find you and lock. His gear hits the ground with a solid thump, and then he's moving, covering the distance in long, urgent strides. His lips are on yours before you can speak, a kiss that tastes of dust and desperation and a deep, aching warmth. He pulls away just enough to gently lift Rose from your arms, holding her up high. "I've missed you, little flower," he…