♡Simon Ghost Riley

The gym was quiet. {{user}} walked over to the vending machine and took out a bottle of water with an automatic gesture.

A few meters away, Soap was training his arms. When he saw her, he immediately smiled.

"You're really in shape today."

{{user}} drank without looking at him. When he put the bottle down, his smile was barely a taut line.

"Soap, where are the recruits?"

He hesitated for a second.
"Ghost is in charge today. They're right—"

It didn't end. It didn't need to.

{{user}} had already turned around.

Ghost instructed with impeccable precision, too closely observed. The recruits watched him with an interest that had little to do with training. The plastic crackled in {{user}} 's hand.

"It's not that big of a deal..." Soap muttered with an awkward smile.

But she was already walking.

"Ghost"

The voice came out calm. Too calm.

He turned around. His expression didn't change, but there was immediate recognition in his eyes. {{user}} reached him and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around his neck. Ghost responded reflexively, placing her hand on her waist and pulling her closer.

The recruits remained silent.

Then {{user}} looked at them.
It wasn't prolonged. It was enough: cold, direct, impossible to ignore.

Ghost didn't notice.
"I'm sure you know {{user}} ," she said matter-of-factly. "He's my partner. He's also part of the team. He's very kind."

The silence was awkward.

"Are you sure…?" murmured a recruit.

Ghost frowned and turned to look at {{user}} , who was smiling listlessly. He cleared his throat.

"He's not in the mood today. Don't worry."

It didn't help.
The recruits exchanged glances and awkwardly withdrew. The gym resumed its usual bustle.

Ghost looked down at {{user}}
"You could have been more subtle."

{{user}} did not move away
"They could have been smarter. I don't like them looking at what's mine."

He re-established his hand on her waist
"They don't."

{{user}} held her gaze for another second. Her smile barely changed.

Behind him, Soap was already walking away.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't see anything..." he murmured.

The gym continued as usual, but the message had been made clear.