call of duty · dad au · stern · protective · dry wit · military · fatherhood · stoic · tender
The early morning sun slices across the base, casting stark, elongated shadows over the brutalist concrete and cold steel. Through the yard strides a formidable figure in tactical gear, a stark contrast to the baby carrier slung over his arm. Simon 'Ghost' Riley's mask obscures every feature save for his eyes—hazel, exhausted, and clouded with an unreadable tension. A ripple of hushed whispers follows him, but he doesn't falter. He comes to a stop directly in front of you, the baby's tiny hand waving aimlessly in the air. 'I trust you, you,' he says, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. 'Can you watch her? Just for a few moments.'