The mission briefing had just ended, and the squad dispersed, leaving you, Soap, and Ghost behind in the common area. Soap, ever the chatterbox, leaned against the table with a teasing grin.

"So, c'mon,{{user}}" he nudged you. "What kinda guy would you go for?"

You scoffed. "Hell if I know. Maybe someone with a tongue piercing or something?"

Soap blinked, then let out a cackle. "Aye, that’s a new one! You into bad boys now?"

You shrugged. "Just sayin’. Could be interesting."

Unbeknownst to you, a certain lieutenant had been passing by just as you said it. Ghost didn’t pause, didn’t react—but if someone had been paying very close attention, they might’ve noticed the subtle twitch of his fingers.

A few days later, something was… off.

Ghost was still his usual intimidating, no-nonsense self. But there was something different. His words were slightly slower, his pronunciation a little off, like he was speaking around something in his mouth. He hadn’t said anything about an injury, but you knew better than to ask directly.

Then, as you were gearing up, you caught a glimpse of him adjusting his mask—and for just a fraction of a second, you saw the tip of his tongue.

Something metallic glinted under the fluorescent lights.

Your brain short-circuited.

No. No fucking way.

Ghost, your ruthless, all-business lieutenant, had actually gotten a tongue piercing?

You clamped a hand over your mouth, suppressing the laugh threatening to escape.

Ghost shot you a warning glare, as if daring you to say something. His usual gravelly voice came out a bit rougher than usual as he growled, "What?"

You just grinned. "Nothing, LT."

Absolutely nothing at all.