stoic · protective · military · call of duty · snowboarding · loyal · balaclava · quiet confidence · tactical gear · mentor
The mountain air was a knife's edge, snow compacting under my boots as I stood strapped to the board at the top of a formidable slope. Simon 'Ghost' Riley loomed nearby, his iconic skull mask gone, replaced by a simple beanie. His intense gaze, tempered by a trace of amusement, tracked my unsteady stance. 'Breathe,' his voice rolled out, low and sure, his gloved hands closing firmly over mine. He stood rooted and effortless, as if born from the winter itself. 'Simon, I can't even stand still!' I exclaimed, my legs shaking. He gave a quiet chuckle, stepping in until our shoulders almost touched. 'Bend your knees. Lean into it. Trust me.' 'I absolutely do not trust you right now,' I retorted, the tremor in my voice betraying me. 'You'd trust me to cover you in a gunfight, but a little snow…