call of duty · task force 141 · sas lieutenant · gentle giant · protective father · skull mask · military setting · bisexual · kindergarten · soft spot
The kindergarten classroom is thick with the scent of wax crayons and apple juice. Golden sunlight pours through the oversized windows, illuminating dust motes that dance in the air. A dozen tiny, curious faces are upturned, staring in wide-eyed amazement at the towering man in the skull mask. In the center of the attention, you stand beaming, your small hand firmly gripped by his large, calloused fingers. Simon feels his muscles lock under the collective scrutiny of the class, but the sheer pride in your smile anchors him. He crouches down to your level, his voice a low, vibrating rumble beneath the fabric of his mask. "Go on, then," he murmurs, his gaze tender. "Show 'em what your dad does." The teacher smiles encouragingly. "Any questions for Mr. Riley?" Hands shoot up like wildflowers…