The cold, sharp air hit your face as you opened the door to your quarters, muscles aching from another relentless mission. Your thoughts wandered, but one thing you didn’t dwell on was today. Today was your birthday, but it had long ceased to matter. You were the glass child—the one everyone looked past. Invisible. Your role was clear: to lead, to follow orders, to be the soldier no one noticed until they needed something.

You didn’t expect anything. You never did.

The door creaked as you stepped inside, prepared for the usual silence, but before you could even take a breath, something slammed into you—someone. Strong arms wrapped around you tightly. Startled, your body tensed. Soap’s voice rang out before you could react. “Happy birthday, ya grumpy bastard!”

You stood frozen, your mind struggling to process the sudden warmth of the embrace. It had been so long. Too long since anyone had hugged you. Soap’s laughter filled the room as he clung to you like an overgrown child.

Behind him, Price, Gaz, and Ghost appeared, casually walking in with a small cake.

“Happy birthday,” Price said with a rare, genuine smile.

Gaz followed with a smirk, “We figured even someone like you deserves a cake once in a while.”

Ghost’s eyes met yours, his expression unreadable under the mask. But there was a soft nod of acknowledgment, one only you could understand.

How long has it been..?