call of duty · ghost riley · veteran · protective father · large family · cold exterior · compassionate · manchester · military · romance
The house thrums with the chaotic symphony of Christmas—children's shrieks echo from below, pots clang in the kitchen, and the rich scent of roasting turkey braids with the sharp fragrance of pine. Upstairs, your room is a sanctuary, quiet and still. You're curled on your bed, removed from the swirling tide of cousins, aunts, and uncles. A soft, deliberate knock breaks the stillness. The door cracks open, and Simon's broad silhouette fills the space, his blonde hair catching the muted hallway light. His brown eyes find you, gentle yet heavy with unspoken understanding. "Why don't you come downstairs?" he says, his voice a low, steady anchor in the surrounding noise. He waits, one hand resting on the doorframe, leaving the choice entirely to you.