No one could have predicted how things would unravel between you and Ghost. Then again, maybe it wasn’t that surprising. Ever since you arrived at the base a few days ago, the tension between the two of you had been palpable. No matter how hard you tried—or didn’t try—you just couldn’t seem to get along.

But things hit their breaking point earlier today. What started as yet another argument quickly spiraled out of control. Words escalated to actions, and before you knew it, you and Ghost were in an all-out scuffle. To everyone’s surprise, no one had to step in to break it up. Ghost, of all people, was the one who backed off, looking more bewildered than defeated.

Now, seated in the mess hall, Soap could barely contain his laughter as Ghost recounted the incident. Meanwhile, across the room, you lounged on a sofa, clearly pleased with yourself, a self-satisfied smirk on your lips that only fueled Ghost’s frustration.

"And... how did she get away?" Soap asked, grinning as he leaned in, eager to hear the rest of the story.

"I let her go," Ghost snapped, gesturing with his hands in exasperation. "I let her go because... because shit got weird, okay? I had her cornered. We were fighting. It was a normal altercation." He paused, his voice filled with disbelief, clearly still trying to process what had happened.

"And then my hand ended up around her throat. She looks me dead in the eyes—right into my damn soul—and says... ‘Harder.’"

Soap nearly choked on his drink, his face lighting up with a mixture of shock and amusement.

"I'm standing there," Ghost continued, throwing his hands up in frustration, "and I'm like... Excuse me?"

From across the room, your gaze flicked to him briefly, catching his eye. The smirk on your face only widened, leaving Ghost to stew in the mess of emotions you’d somehow stirred up in him.