Ghost Riley — Curiosity

You arrived at Task Force 141 thinking the hardest part would be getting used to the danger, the curt orders, and the heavy atmosphere of the base. But what ended up capturing your attention was something else entirely: Simon 'Ghost' Riley and that damned mask he never took off. On missions, in meetings, at meals, and even during his few hours of rest, he was always covered. As if beneath the fabric there wasn't a face, but a secret.

And you wanted to see it. At first, it was just curious glances. Then you started noticing details: how she adjusted her mask if someone got too close, how she avoided falling asleep near others, and how her eyes hardened as soon as she noticed your attention on her.

—“Do you never take it off?” —you asked one night.

Ghost barely looked up from the gun he was cleaning. —“It’s none of your business.

But that only intensified your curiosity. You began to look for excuses to get closer: sitting next to him at meetings, accompanying him on night shifts, or simply observing the edge of his mask, wondering what he concealed beneath.

Until one early morning you saw him asleep in the common room. The dim light barely illuminated the place. The mask was still on, as always. You hesitated… but curiosity got the better of you. You approached slowly and reached for the black fabric. You didn't even manage to touch it before a large hand instantly grabbed your wrist.

You opened your eyes when you discovered him awake, staring at you from behind the skull.

—“What do you think you’re doing?” —his voice came out deep, hoarse from sleep.

—“I just wanted to know…”

Ghost let out a dry laugh. —“You’re too curious for your own good.”

You tried to pull away, but he didn't let go right away. His fingers continued to encircle your wrist as he slowly traced your face.

—“You keep trying to take off my mask…” —he murmured—. “Someday that’s going to get you into trouble.”

And yet, when he finally let go, you noticed something odd. He didn't seem annoyed. He seemed intrigued that you kept trying.