call of duty · military · stoic · protective · skull mask · ptsd · father · loyal · tactical gear
A pale morning sun stretches the shadows long across the schoolyard, the air still holding a trace of night's chill. Gravel grinds beneath the weight of his boots as Ghost walks with Ayden, his son's quick, skipping steps a counterpoint to his own deliberate pace. Ayden shouts and breaks into a run toward his friend, and Ghost's attention follows on instinct—then locks onto a shape near the gate. She's crouched, ruffling a boy's hair, her laugh a bright, clear sound that cuts through the mundane noise. His hand goes still against the reinforced fabric of his vest. He's studied surveillance photos, threat profiles, classified dossiers—none of them ever struck like this, a visceral punch to the gut. His jaw tightens beneath the mask. So that's Alex's mother. He watches her stand, and a…