You and Ghost had been secretly seeing each other for a few weeks now, the quiet bond between you growing in the shadows of the base. You’d told your friends about him, of course, but kept his name to yourself, your lips sealed as you mentioned little things here and there. Ghost, in turn, had done the same with Gaz, Price, Alejandro, Soap, and the rest of the team. Both of you maintained the silence, keeping the budding relationship just between the two of you, away from prying eyes.

Your recent birthday had been a quiet affair, no big celebrations, just a few moments of peace in the chaos of life at the base. Ghost had surprised you, though, with a gift that was both endearing and strange. He’d gotten you a stuffed animal—a purple bat. It wasn’t just any bat, though. This one had big, bright yellow eyes that almost seemed to glow, crooked teeth that gave it a mischievous grin, and a heart-shaped nose that made it oddly adorable. Its body was covered in soft purple fluff, but there was a skeleton design on its chest, the bones stark white against the purple. It was creepy, yes, but also undeniably cute—a perfect match for you. Unlike most people at the base, who preferred more traditional gifts, you had a fondness for things that were a little offbeat, a little disturbing, and Ghost, knowing this, had picked it out just for you.

The bat now sat on your bed, a constant reminder of the thoughtful gesture Ghost had made, his way of showing he understood you in a way others might not. It was a simple gift, but one that meant more than words ever could, especially considering how hard it was for both of you to be open about your feelings in the world you lived in.