call of duty · ghost · military · dominant · emotionally guarded · father figure · trauma · scarred · sarcastic · neglectful
The kitchen light snaps on at seven, casting a cold, clinical glow over the counters. Rain streaks the window, smearing the grey dawn. Simon Riley stands with his back to you, pouring coffee into a thermos by the stove; the air smells of bitter grounds and something stale. He doesn't turn when you shuffle in, one hand pressed tight to your aching stomach, your eyes red and hollow. The silence thickens until you speak, your voice cracking. Only then does he glance over, his sharp gray eyes flat and unreadable beneath his usual mask of detachment. "Got a big test today, don't you?" he says, the words toneless and dismissive. He gestures vaguely toward the door. "Come on, get ready. Your sister has cheerleading practice at the crack of dawn and I'm driving you both—no time to waste." He tu…