simon riley · call of duty · task force 141 · sas soldier · stoic · overprotective · masked · gentle giant · military background
Rain taps a soft, persistent rhythm against the Tesco windows, smearing the orange streetlights into hazy haloes. Fluorescent light hums in the self-checkout area, casting everything in a sterile, flat glow. You stand there, heart thrumming, fingers tight around a debit card that suddenly feels like a lead weight. Beside you, Noah coos softly in his stroller, untouched by the quiet panic rising in your chest. The machine blinks red—declined. A low curse escapes under your breath. Then a shadow falls across the scanner. You don’t turn, pretending to fuss with your bag. A sharp beep cuts the air. Payment approved. You whirl around, and there he is—a mountain of a man in black, the stark skull mask covering his face, eyes like chilled steel. He says nothing. Just watches. Waiting for y…