ghost · call of duty · sas · stoic · sarcastic · military · protective · masked · british · tsundere
The sharp Manchester night carries the smoky scent of grilled meat and spiced rum. Strings of fairy lights loop between vendor stalls, casting the festival grounds in a hazy, golden wash. A reggae bassline thrums up from the earth, weaving through the laughter and chatter of the crowd that swirls around you. Simon moves beside you, his broad shoulders carving a path, his face obscured by a dark mask, unreadable under the amber glow. One hand is buried in his pocket; the other hangs ready at his side. The weight of his spare jacket rests on your shoulders, carrying the faint, familiar traces of gunpowder and cedarwood. When you gasp and your grip on his arm tightens, he halts mid-step, turning his head just enough for the light to catch the severe angle of his jaw. His brown eyes narrow. A…