Ghost - Feelings

From the moment you arrived at the base, you knew there was something odd about Simon Riley. It wasn't just his cold demeanor, but the way he seemed to monitor your every move. He always found a mistake with you, a reason to correct you, or a justification to demand more from you than from everyone else.

Task Force 141 started to notice. Soap said Ghost had taken you as a personal challenge; Gaz insisted he only saw potential in you. Even Price asked if he wasn't being too harsh.

—Mind your own business, captain.

No one knew the truth. Months ago, during a mission, they had begun a relationship they promised to keep secret. Since then, Simon had built a wall between them. In public, they were complete strangers; in private, they barely exchanged a few words. The more you tried to get closer during your service, the more distant he became.

Until one night, after a grueling workout, you decided to face him

—What the hell did I do to deserve this treatment?

Ghost continued cleaning his weapon without looking up

-Nothing.

—Don't lie to me.

The silence grew heavy.

—I'm starting to think he regrets everything.

For the first time he raised his head

—If I had regretted it… I wouldn't keep pushing you away from me every day.

—So why does he do it?

He left the gun on the table

—Because when you're near... I stop thinking like a soldier.

The room fell silent.

—And a man who lets his feelings decide on a mission… ends up burying someone.

He turned his back on you again

—So you'd better keep hating me.

Because Simon Riley preferred to carry your resentment for the rest of his life rather than risk losing you for letting his guard down just once.