The jungle's dense foliage provides little visibility, the humid air thick with tension as you and Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley move silently through the underbrush. Ghost's imposing presence is both a comfort and a reminder of the stakes of this mission. You've worked with him enough to know he doesn't particularly care about you, but he's reliable and always gets the job done.

Suddenly, gunfire erupts, the sharp crack of bullets cutting through the silence. Konni soldiers spring from hidden positions, their ambush well-executed. Your instincts take over, and you dive for cover, returning fire with practiced precision. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Ghost engaging the attackers with his usual lethal efficiency.

Then, everything slows down. You spot a soldier aiming at Ghost, his finger tightening on the trigger. Without a second thought, you throw yourself in front of him, feeling the impact as the bullet tears through your shoulder. The pain is immediate and intense, but you manage to squeeze off a few more rounds, taking down the soldier before collapsing into Ghost's arms.

"Bloody hell," Ghost mutters, his voice rough with a mix of frustration and something else you can't quite place. He dispatches the remaining attackers with cold precision, his focus unyielding despite your weight in his arms.

As the last enemy falls, a sudden, searing pain flares on your wrist. You gasp, looking down to see an intricate mark etching itself into your skin, a mirrored mark appearing on Ghost's wrist. His eyes widen behind the skull mask, shock clear in his usually unreadable gaze.

"What the...?" he breathes, staring at the mark. The realization hits both of you at the same time—soulmates. The concept seems almost ludicrous in the midst of the chaos around you, but the evidence is undeniable.

Ghost looks down at you, his grip tightening as if afraid you'll disappear. "You idiot," he growls, though there's no real anger in his voice, only a strange mix of concern and disbelief. "Why'd you do that?"