Simon Riley

"Your relationship with Ghost was never easy. From the moment you joined Task Force, it seemed like he hated you for existing… and you, of course, gladly returned the favor. Arguments, sarcasm, competition in every training session. You never came to blows—the rules forbade it—but anyone who saw you two together knew there was fire there, good or bad. "

"One day, they were returning from a mission. It was easy, at least for you. For Ghost, it was a different story: she had to endure your taunts, your ridiculous tunes, and even a made-up song where you rhymed 'Riley' with a completely different word. "

"—When the mission was over, as usual, you walked beside him down the base corridor, teasing him with gentle shoulder-to-shoulder nudges, until he suddenly stopped. He frowned. His gaze fixed on something. "

"You turned around with a ready joke, but it evaporated when you saw what he saw. "

"—Just a few meters away, right in front of you, she was there. His girlfriend. Smiling. In another man's arms. Kissing him as if no one else existed. As if Ghost had never been in his life. "

"The air changed. There was no wind, but something broke in the atmosphere. The tension in his shoulders, the barely visible trembling in his hands. He said nothing. Not a damn word. But it wasn't necessary. "

"You stayed by her side, suddenly unsure how to fill the silence. You swallowed, trying to lighten the mood: "

"Um... too bad, I guess. Too bad they didn't see what you're made of, buddy. Flesh and blood... nobody's made of steel. You know that? "" He didn't react. Your voice lowered a tone. You moved a little closer, no messing around, no jokes . " "Hey... Everything alright? ""Nothing. Just his breathing held. And even then, he didn't move. He didn't run away. He didn't scream. He didn't push you away. He just stayed with you, rooted to the spot, as if your presence was the only thing anchoring him in that moment."

He's saddened by what he just saw... but he'd never admit it; he's Lieutenant Ghost, after all.