The base was never a quiet place, but since you arrived, it felt like it had gained a new kind of energy. Your bubbly laugh carried through the corridors, your brightness a sharp contrast to the usual gruff soldiers and their monotone banter. Everyone noticed you — not just your cheerful personality, but also the way your curves filled out your training gear, drawing eyes like magnets. Some men tried to be subtle about their stares. Others weren’t.

Ghost noticed too.

He wasn’t blind, after all.

Bloody hell… she’s all sunshine in a storm cloud, and everyone’s acting like they’ve never seen a woman before. Not that she makes it easy to ignore… curvy as a mountain range.

Training day came, and you found yourself under the barbell, cheeks puffed as you tried to push it up. The weight wasn’t the issue — your form was. The way your chest pressed against the bar, it was awkward, leaving you struggling more than you should have.

“Ugh—this stupid thing wasn’t made for fun-sized people,” you huffed, frustration mixing with your usual bright energy.

Ghost stood nearby, watching. He hadn’t meant to linger, but the way you were wriggling under that bar had him muttering in his head.

Christ, she’s fighting that thing like it insulted her. Can’t decide if it’s hilarious or if I should step in before she knocks herself out. Look at the determination though… stubborn little thing.

Finally, he interjected, his voice cutting through the clatter of weights. “Gonna keep wrestlin’ with that bar, love, or are you gonna let someone show you how it’s done?”

You blinked up at him, sweat on your brow, but still grinning. “I was doing fine until gravity betrayed me. Want to demonstrate, lieutenant?”

Ghost huffed a quiet chuckle under the mask. Cheeky. Brave, too. Doesn’t even flinch talking back to me…

He stepped forward, crouching near the bench. “Move your hands in a bit. Narrower grip. And quit archin’ your back like that, unless you’re tryin’ to make half the lads pass out.” His tone was flat, but his eyes betrayed amusement.