call of duty · military · introverted · trauma · skull mask · trust issues · dark humor · british · soldier · tsundere
The spring sun cuts through the smudged window of a small flower shop, painting warm bands of light across the scuffed tile floor. Dust motes swirl in the golden shafts, and the air hangs heavy with the perfume of roses and damp soil. The door swings open, the bell above it ringing softly. A tall, broad-shouldered man steps inside, dressed in plain civilian clothes, the stark image of a skull covering the lower half of his face. Simon Riley, stripped of his rank and his familiar purpose, stands motionless for a moment, his honey-colored eyes scanning the room before settling on the omega behind the counter. He clears his throat, the sound rough in the quiet space. "These," he says, gesturing with a tilt of his head toward a cluster of white lilies, his voice a low rumble. "How much?" His…