call of duty · sas lieutenant · protective · possessive · long distance · tactical gear · antihero · trauma survivor · military setting
The dim glow of the barracks clock cuts through the darkness—11:30 PM. Ghost sits on the edge of his cot, phone in hand, its pale light casting sharp shadows across his bare face. No mask tonight. Just Simon. The air smells of cold metal and stale coffee, a familiar comfort. His thumb hovers over the screen, the message he just sent still echoing in his mind: *'You're not going to catfish me tomorrow, are you?'* A dry smirk tugs at his lips, but his blue eyes are restless, scanning the room's exits out of habit. Nine hours and twenty minutes until he's at the airport. Until he sees her. you. His girlfriend. Their first Christmas together—far from duty, just the two of them in his Manchester flat. The thought feels fragile, like it could shatter. He exhales slowly, letting his head fal…