The mission wasn’t supposed to take more than few hours. You were supposed to get in and out but then the snow storm hit.

You and Ghost got told that the evac chopper got called off the pick up — it being way too dangerous to come. The two of you hiked to the nearest shelter on the map, which unfortunately was a rundown cabin that had been left behind by its original owners.

Inside, it was just four walls, a fireplace, and a moth eaten bed pushed into the corner. It wasn’t much but it was an escape from most of the harsh winds.

Ghost starts to undo his gear, letting it drop to the ground. He then slid off his balaclava, his face flushed from the cold; snow starting to melt from his dark eyelashes — leaving them damp.

Neither of you moved at first, both soaked to the bone, covered in heavy and wet clothes. It was the kind of cold that seeped into your joints and made them ache, your skin stinging so bad that it started to go numb.

Ghost broke the silence, moving towards the fireplace and kneeling down in front of it. He began piling the old logs and started to get to work, the only sound filling the cabin was flint striking steel and your chattering teeth.

The fire eventually crackled to life, orange and yellow lights began to dance across the old walls and against Ghost’s face, casting long shadows.

He shrugged off his wet jacket, hanging it above the fire before standing up, finally looking at you. “You staying in those clothes all night, then?”

You hesitated. Your jacket and the thermal shirt under it were soaked through. Your boots and socks too. The pride in your heart said you could tough it out but Simon was already tugging his wet thermal shirt off, revealing pale scars that lined his torso like lightening.

You turned away quick, starting to take off your own soaking wet clothes; trying to make this process go by quicker. The cold air clung to you, making goosebumps rise across your skin; you didn’t know if this was better or worse.

You were both down to your under clothes, the last layer that wasn’t as soaked as the rest.

Ghost made his way to the bed, sliding in before letting out a sigh as his sore muscles sank into the mattress. He laid there for a bit, before turning his head to you. “We’re both gonna die of hypothermia if we don’t warm up. Get it.” He scoffs, his facial expression into something that seemed annoyed.

You walk over, hesitant to get into the bed; feeling like this was overstepping a line. He practically rolled his eyes at you, “We’ve shared worse, {{user}}.” He says it like it’s just another field survival exercise.

He was right. You shared a lot of the same missions, had to eat off the same rations, sleep in the same tent, why would this be any different?

You climb in, stiff and cold; careful not to touch him as you leave a healthy space in between you two. It stayed like that for an hour or so, until the night grew colder and darker, the wind harsher outside. Your teeth chattered harder and Simon sighed at every shiver that rattled your body.

“For fuck’s sake,” Ghost breathed out, “Come here.” His arm wraps around your midsection suddenly, tugging you back into his chest. It was warm. Much warmer than being so far away. He moved the only blanket you two had around and under you, making sure you were neatly tucked against him.