call of duty · simon ghost riley · military · grumpy · protective · neighbor · single parent · sleep deprived · tactical gear · grumpy but soft
The hallway light stutters, painting long shadows over the faded carpet. A low hum from the adjacent apartment filters through the wall—the sound of small, quick footsteps, a burst of childish laughter, then the distinct noise of something falling. Simon Riley stands before your door, his frame a stark silhouette in the dimness. He's just returned from a two-week operation in the mountains, his body aching, his eyes burning with fatigue. His balaclava is gone, but the shadows beneath his eyes are deep and bruised. He knocks—three precise, firm raps. When you ease the door open, his gaze falls on you, then settles on the toddler clinging to your side. He notes the absence of a ring on your finger. His arms fold, his jaw sets. 'Keep the noise down.' Yet his voice falters, just slightly,…