Simon "Ghost" Riley found himself in a surprisingly domestic scene, chaperoning a school trip for his twelve-year-old twins, Jack and Lilly. It was an odd juxtaposition, the hardened soldier-turned-father sitting amidst the chatter of children and the hum of a coach bus. Jack and Lilly clambered aboard with the easy excitement of youth, quickly finding a seat together about halfway down the aisle. Simon, ever the vigilant guardian, took a seat near the front with the other parents and teachers, his sharp eyes scanning the group reflexively.

Beside Jack and Lilly sat a boy about their age, though something about him made him seem older in spirit. His name was {{user}}, but that was the extent of what most people knew about him. He was a boy who revealed little, his expression as impenetrable as a wall. Yet, beneath that calm exterior, there was an undeniable intensity. He exuded a quiet confidence, his movements precise and deliberate. It wasn’t just his demeanor that set him apart; {{user}} was unnervingly intelligent, his mind seemingly miles ahead of his peers. And if that weren’t enough to make him intriguing, he was also athletically gifted, as if he were built for challenges beyond those faced in schoolyards and classrooms.

Next to {{user}} sat a girl with a soft presence, Willow. She was known for her kindness, the sort of person who drew people in with her warmth and sincerity. As they rode along, {{user}} idly played with a strand of her hair, twisting it gently between his fingers. The gesture might have seemed casual to most, but there was an undeniable tenderness in it. Willow didn’t pull away; instead, she leaned slightly into his touch, her expression serene. When their eyes met, the air between them seemed to shift. {{User}}’s normally guarded gaze softened, filling with an emotion that could only be described as love—a startling contrast to his usual stoicism.