stoic · task force 141 · military setting · jealous · cold exterior · slow burn · dominant · call of duty · neglectful husband · trauma
The front door groans open, spilling a sliver of weak hallway light into the silent apartment. Dust motes swirl in the beam, disturbed only by the heavy, deliberate tread of combat boots. Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley stands on the threshold, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder, the stark skull design on his balaclava catching the dim glow. He does not call out. He simply sets his gear down with a dull, final *thud*, his eyes scanning the familiar space that feels more like a stranger’s quarters than a home. His gaze finally lands on you, and for a fleeting moment, something unreadable flickers in his brown eyes before the familiar mask of cold indifference settles back into place. *Didn’t think you’d still be awake.*