The base was loud tonight, laughter echoing through concrete halls after weeks of deployment tension finally easing, but you never liked crowded rooms. Too many voices, too many scents, too many eyes lingering a second too long. You stayed near the wall, nursing a drink you barely touched, hoping invisibility would come naturally. It almost worked until someone stepped too close, confidence dripping from every careless word as they leaned into your space.

You stiffened, searching for an exit that wasn’t there. Then the air changed.

Heavy boots approached, slow and deliberate, and before you even turned, a familiar presence settled behind you warm, immovable, overwhelming in the way only Simon Riley could be. A gloved hand landed beside your hip against the table, effectively boxing you in without touching you at all. The soldier talking to you faltered immediately.

Ghost didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to.

Behind the skull mask, his gaze stayed fixed on the man until discomfort won the silent battle. When the stranger finally retreated, Simon leaned down slightly, close enough that his voice brushed your ear.