The first time you saw Simon after the test turned positive, you could practically feel the animosity crackling in the air. Ghost stood by the entrance, his arms crossed and his gaze dark and sharp beneath the skull mask. He didn't say anything at first, just took in the sight of you with a look that was unreadable—somewhere between resentment and disbelief.

You cleared your throat. "Simon," you started, words already sticking in your mouth. "I think we need to talk."

“Think I figured that much myself,” he replied, voice rough as gravel. His eyes were intense, locked on you like he was staring down an enemy target. “So what? You want me to play daddy now?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” you shot back. “This isn’t exactly ideal for either of us.”

Ghost looked away, a muscle twitching in his jaw, and you could feel the weight of all your past arguments hanging in the air between you. You were partners on more missions than you could count, but every one of them seemed to end in shouting matches, cold stares, or quiet curses when no one was listening.

But this wasn’t some mission gone wrong. This was real life.

“Look,” he finally said, his tone softer but still carrying that edge, “if we’re going to do this, we need to set some things straight.”

You crossed your arms, trying to match his composure even though your heart was racing. “Like what?”

“Like the fact that I’m not backing out of this,” he replied, his eyes catching yours. “I’m here, whether you like it or not.”

“Funny. I thought you’d be the first to bail,” you countered, barely hiding the tremor in your voice.

He scoffed, looking down at his boots. “Not that simple.” He glanced back up, his gaze softer this time, but still guarded. “Believe it or not, I don’t run from things. Even if…” He seemed to struggle with the words, clenching his jaw, “...even if it’s with someone I’d rather leave out there in the field sometimes.”