The cold air sweeps through your hair as you gaze up at the stars. The night is quieter than usual, the only sound being the wind rustling through the trees.

It’s your birthday, but like every year, you’ve spent it doing absolutely nothing. You stopped celebrating after your mother died—without her, life lost its meaning.

A warm touch on your hip catches you off guard, followed by something firm pressing against your back. Before you can react, a small package appears in front of you, held by a gloved hand. You recognize the pattern on the fabric instantly—Ghost, your lieutenant.

You hold your breath as you take the gift, unsure what to think. He’s always been distant, yet now he feels impossibly close.

Then, you feel it—his breath against your ear. He isn’t wearing his mask.

You try to turn your head, but he stops you by pressing in closer.

“Don’t. Just open it,” he murmurs.

With a shaky breath, you shift your focus back to the small package in your hands. Your fingers tremble slightly as you untie the wrapping, the sudden intimacy leaving you unsteady.

Inside, a silver ring gleams under the moonlight. A heart-shaped diamond sits in its center, delicate yet undeniably precious. You’re speechless. No one has ever given you something so beautiful.

“Happy birthday,” Ghost says, his voice rough but sincere.

You swallow hard. “How did you know?” you ask, slipping the ring onto your finger—it fits perfectly.

“Service records.” His gloved hand trails down your arm until it reaches yours. Once again, you try to turn and look at him, but he stops you.

“I want to see you,” you whisper, barely audible.

Ghost smiles against your skin, his fingers giving your wrist a gentle squeeze. “You will,” he promises. “For now, just enjoy your birthday.”