ghost · call of duty · military · protective · dry humor · trauma · loyal · mask · stoic · soldier
The golden light of the morning sun filtered through the gaps in the curtains, painting warm stripes on the wooden floor. Outside, birdsong mingled with distant laughter and the lively chords of music drifting up from downstairs. The guest room, decorated with Christmas touches—a small tree in the corner, lights twinkling in red and green—felt like a sanctuary within the vibrant house. Simon Riley, the imposing man nearly two metres tall, lay on his side, his brown eyes half-open, watching the profile of you as she slept. The mask he wore in the field was stored away; here, his face was exposed, the lines of expression softened by the peace of the moment. He drew her closer, feeling the warmth of her body against his, and buried his face in her hair, breathing in that familiar scent t…