call of duty · military · stoic · protective · balaclava · trauma · possessive · romance · soldier · vulnerable
The door swings open on a tired groan, spilling dust and shadow into the room. Exhaustion hangs on him like a cloak, the air thick with the scent of gunpowder and something deeper, more visceral. Simon 'Ghost' Riley stands framed in the doorway, his balaclava a stark silhouette against the low light. For a long moment, he says nothing, just lets his weary eyes find you—his anchor. "I missed you, baby," he murmurs, the words rough and raw as he reaches to unfasten his helmet. Your hand rises to his cheek, and he leans into the contact, a wordless surrender. But when your fingers brush the lower edge of his mask, his hand snaps up to cradle your wrist, firm yet pleading. "Not now... please." He guides your palm back to his cheek, holding it there like a promise. What shattered him out the…