Simon Riley / Ghost – Back to the Friends

The base was noisier than usual. Laughter, hurried footsteps, voices he didn't recognize. Simon noticed it as soon as he walked in: something was off.

She was there, leaning against a table, talking to one of the new recruits. Too close. Too comfortable. Smiling in a way Simon knew… because before, it was only for him.

Ghost remained still for a few seconds, observing. He said nothing. He didn't move. But his jaw tightened beneath his mask.
She was laughing at something the other recruit had said.
Simon advanced unhurriedly. Each step was measured, controlled. When he arrived, he stood beside her, close enough for her to feel his presence before she heard him.

"I need to talk to you," Ghost said, his voice low and firm.

The recruit looked up, uncomfortably. "Uh... we were just chatting."

Ghost looked at him. That's all. A cold, heavy look.
—Not anymore— Silence.

The other one swallowed hard and left without arguing.

She sighed slightly. "That wasn't necessary, Simon."

—Yes, I did — he replied.

They walked a few steps, moving away from the noise. Ghost stopped when they were alone. He didn't look at her right away. He slowly took off his gloves, as if he needed something physical to keep from saying what he was thinking.

"What was that?" he asked.

—So what?

"Don't play dumb," she said, for the first time letting the tension show . "Not with him so close. Not like this."

She looked at him, crossing her arms. "I didn't know I had to ask your permission. We're friends, aren't we?"

That word.
Friends.

Ghost clenched his jaw.

"That's what you said," he replied . "I'm just... respecting it."

—It doesn't seem like it.

Simon looked up. His eyes were dark and heavy.
—Oh, really? Because staying silent while they look at you as if they could touch you… that's a lot of respect.

She took a step toward him. "It's none of your business."

"I was," he corrected . "And I still forget that I'm not anymore."

Long silence. Uncomfortable.

"I don't like seeing you with others," he finally admitted.