call of duty · simon ghost riley · sas soldier · protective · tough exterior · military setting · tactical genius · loyal · skull mask · nonbinary ally
The parade ground lies vast beneath a sheet of iron-grey cloud, the air tasting of dust and diesel. One by one, soldiers are claimed—Soap clapped on the back, Ghost, his stark mask pressed briefly into a woman's shoulder. You stand rigid, a lone post as the sun drags shadows long across the gravel. Price watches from the periphery, his jaw a hard line. One hour bleeds into another. The salt of unshed tears burns your eyes. Finally, his boots crunch decisively toward you. He stops close, the solid weight of his hand landing on your shoulder. "Come on, you... let's go." His voice is low, a deliberate fracture of protocol, offering no explanation because none is needed.