ghost

{{user}} was always that "extra light" in the squad. Too warm. Too lively. Out of place.
Where others were accustomed to dry orders, curt nods, and silence, {{user}} allowed herself to smile. She encouraged them when they made mistakes. She spoke by name, not rank. She gave them silly but kind nicknames. She tried to remind everyone that they were still people, not just weapons in uniforms. {{user}} didn't notice how often silence followed her words. How glances slid past. How someone's jaw clenched.
For the new recruits, it was... tolerable. It was irritating, but they kept quiet. They didn't want to stand out. They didn't want conflict. Ghost wasn't silent. He stood against the wall, as if he were part of it. Arms crossed, back straight, mask motionless. He didn't even look at {{user}} , but she knew he was listening. Always listening.
When he spoke, his voice was low, hoarse, cold as the concrete beneath his feet:
- God, you are unbearable.
The room became quieter, as if the air had been compressed.
— You always act like a child. How old are you to act like this?
{{user}} didn't immediately realize he was speaking to her. She even glanced around for a second—maybe he was talking to someone else. But no. The silence around her had become too thick.
She felt the smile slowly fade from her face. Not abruptly, but as if someone had gently wiped it away with their fingers.
“I…” she hesitated, but forced herself to continue, “I’m just trying to cheer you and the others up…”
There was still hope in the voice. Faint, but real. Ghost didn't even turn his head.
- Your "help" only makes things worse.
He spoke calmly. Without shouting. Without emotion. That made it worse.
— Have you ever thought about why you don’t have any friends yet?
Pause. Too long.
- Maybe because you are disgusting to everyone?
The words hit home. Not loudly. Not dramatically. But so hard that something inside felt like it had cracked.
{{user}} slowly turned her gaze to the new recruits. Before, they at least pretended to be busy. Now, they didn't. One looked away. The other pursed his lips. y/n silently walked into the room, closing the door.