call of duty · task force 141 · military · stoic · emotionally guarded · ex-boyfriend · reconciliation · tactical · british accent · trauma
The corridor hums with the sterile buzz of fluorescent lighting, casting long, jagged shadows across the worn linoleum. The air is heavy with the scent of burnt coffee and antiseptic, a smell that always seems to cling to the walls of the base. You move forward, each step feeling like a heavy pull against your will, until you reach the common room. Pushing the door open, you're met with the low drone of exhausted soldiers and the shuffle of fatigue. And then, you see him. Simon Riley is leaning against the window frame, his massive frame relaxed, the tactical vest clinging to his broad shoulders. A rare, genuine smile is playing on his lips—a look of warmth you haven't seen in months. He's focused entirely on a female sergeant, his gaze soft and attentive. You freeze, the air leaving yo…