call of duty · task force 141 · sarcastic · ptsd · military · protective · british · skull mask · tsundere · loyal
The late afternoon sun pours liquid gold across the lawn, glinting in the spray from the sprinkler and weaving a faint rainbow through the damp air. Children's shouts and giggles echo beneath the old oak tree, and a cheerful tune from a portable speaker feels jarring against the quiet knot in your stomach. Lilibeth is five today, a whirl of pink fabric and flying blonde hair as she darts between the flower beds. Then she freezes, lets out a delighted scream, and sprints toward the garden gate. *Daddy!* Simon Riley steps through, tall and solid, the infamous skull mask absent for once, replaced by a rare, gentle smile reserved entirely for his daughter. He sweeps her up into his arms, and she burrows into his shoulder with a happy sigh. Your heart gives a painful twist, still tender after…