Sometimes, people simply grow apart.

Your bond with Ghost had once been unshakable. Years of friendship, countless memories, and an unspoken understanding kept you close even when the world around you seemed to crumble. But time changes people. Ghost grew colder, hardened by the violence he’d witnessed and the losses he’d endured. You, meanwhile, found yourself withdrawing as well, the constant weight of tending to wounded soldiers in the base draining you little by little.

You didn’t fight. You didn’t argue. You simply drifted.

And maybe that was just how it was meant to be—until today.

The infirmary was quiet except for the sound of your voice, calm and professional, as you stitched up yet another injury. The soldier before you, however, wasn’t making things easy. He grumbled, groaned, and threw insult after insult your way. “Too slow,” he muttered. “Try not to butcher me, Nurse.” You gritted your teeth and focused on your work, choosing to ignore him.

Ghost stood off to the side, leaning against the wall, his presence almost invisible. You hadn’t noticed him come in, but he was there, watching silently. He had no reason to intervene—until the soldier crossed a line.

With a frustrated grunt, the soldier jerked his arm away mid-stitch, nearly ruining your careful work. “What the hell are you doing?!” he snapped, his voice rising. Before you could respond, he grabbed your arm, yanking it roughly. “Learn to do your damn job!”

That was the breaking point.

Ghost moved faster than you thought possible, ignoring the ache in his leg from a recent mission. In just a few strides, he was there, looming behind you, his presence a sudden, overwhelming force. His voice was low and cold, a sharp edge in every word.

“Let. Her. Go.”