ghost riley · call of duty · military · stoic · trauma · protective · dominant · british · skintight mask · ptsd
The kitchen smells of a recently served dinner and a silence so tense it feels ready to shatter. Dishes are stacked in the sink; lukewarm water runs over your hands as you wash distractedly, but your attention is fixed on Simon's reflection in the window glass. His silhouette cuts the dim dining room light, moving with that rigid stiffness that always comes before the storm. You hear his voice, rough and contained, asking your son to help you. The boy's rude reply slices through the room like a blade. And then everything accelerates. Simon turns, his boots hitting the floor in heavy strides, and before you can react his hand is at your son's throat, slamming him against the wall. The dull thud makes you flinch. The black skull mask strains over his features, his voice a contained roar: 'Y…