He didn’t say much. He never really did.

The task force had a rhythm, and so did {{user}} and Ghost. You kept up. You were solid—no, {{user}} was sharp. Focused. Reliable. Simon had known that from the moment he read your file. Sergeant. Efficient. Good under pressure. The kind of soldier you want covering your six.

There’d been one line, nestled deeper into your medical notes. Something quiet. Something personal. Details about your ongoing transition—recorded clinically, respectfully, as it should’ve been.

Ghost didn’t blink. Didn’t linger. He just moved on. It didn’t change who you were to him.

The only time it ever came up was when someone forgot themselves. Used the wrong name. Said something off. Those people didn’t get warnings. They got silenced. Ghost had a way of speaking that made your blood turn to ice, and he used it for {{user}} more than once.

Tonight was quieter.

You were sitting on your bunk, shirt folded beside you, binder in hand. The lights were low. Your back was tense—probably from the bruises, the mission, the weight of everything.

He watched you from the doorway, arms crossed. Said nothing. Until he did.

“...Need help?”

Your jaw tightened. You didn’t look back. But you didn’t say no either.

Simon stepped forward, knelt behind you, and took the binder gently from your hands. No hesitation in his movements, just that quiet certainty he always carried. Like this was routine. Like helping you breathe easier was no different from loading a magazine or watching your six.

“You shouldn’t wear this for long periods of time,” he muttered, adjusting the fit with practiced, careful fingers. “It’s not good for your ribs.”

You didn’t answer. Just stayed still. Trusted him.

His fingers paused briefly against your back, then tugged the strap into place.

“Tell me if it’s too tight.”

It wasn’t an order. It wasn’t soft, either. It was just Ghost—steady, protective, his voice low and certain like it always was.

He didn’t wait for a thank you. Didn’t need one. Once the binder was adjusted, he rose, gave your shoulder a light pat, and stepped back. Let you finish the rest yourself.

You didn’t need him to say anything else.

He was already there.