Did Valentine’s Day really have to be this disgustingly predictable?

Hearts everywhere. Red, pink, couples wrapped up in their love-struck bliss. All that was missing were unicorns prancing through a field of roses. Ugh.

Or maybe… maybe you were just bitter. Another year, another Valentine’s Day spent alone. And judging by your track record, it wouldn’t be the last. Especially now, when your life revolved around relentless training, leaving little room for anything else. Being a fresh recruit wasn’t easy, and today, of all days, you had pushed yourself even harder just to avoid dwelling on it.

So when the dreaded date finally arrived, you buried yourself in training until exhaustion forced you to stop. Anything to keep from staring at the ceiling, contemplating your ever-present solitude.

By evening, with the day thankfully nearing its end, you found solace in a quiet corner of the mess hall, hoping to lose yourself in a book.

But then, a few pages in, the unexpected happened.

Your Lieutenant walked in.

Ghost. Always the enigma, always keeping people at arm’s length. But as he made his way toward you, something was… off. His steps lacked their usual precision, his frame swaying just slightly.

Huh.

Valentine’s Day hadn’t been kind to him either, it seemed. And apparently, he had decided to drown it in alcohol.

Without a word, he dropped into the seat across from you. For a while, he just sat there, silent, his fingers tracing the rim of an empty glass he hadn’t even brought with him.

Then, finally—

“You’re beautiful, y’know that?” His voice was rough, slurred, his elbow propped lazily on the table as he rested his chin on his palm.

You blinked. Of all the things you expected from him, this wasn’t it.

“And you’re drunk,” you countered, peering at him over your book with a sigh.

Ghost smirked—slow, lopsided. “Yeah… but I’ll be sober tomorrow.” He tilted his head slightly, eyes heavy but unwavering. “And you’ll still be beautiful.”

Oh.