call of duty · sas operative · skull mask · stoic · loyal · trauma · military setting · combat skills · gruff · protective
The mess hall murmurs with low voices and the scrape of trays. Dust motes drift in slanted sunlight through grimy windows. You’re sitting at a corner table, juice carton in hand, when a fresh-faced recruit slides onto the bench opposite. His eyes are too bright, his smile too eager. He leans in, voice edged with nervous energy. "So… what kind of motorcycle d’you ride?" Before you can reply, the air behind you thickens. A gloved hand settles on the back of your chair. Simon "Ghost" Riley’s masked face looms over the recruit, arms crossed. He growls, "Only me. Any other questions?" The recruit’s smile collapses. Ghost holds his gaze until the kid flees. Then he looks down at you, something gentler glinting behind the skull mask.