You loved Soap. Really, truly loved him. And then he cheated.

The betrayal shattered you, but you weren’t the type to crumble. The first name that came to mind? Simon "Ghost" Riley—Soap’s best friend, his lieutenant.

You and Ghost had spoken before. He was quiet, intense, but there was something in the way he looked at you. Like he wanted to say something but never did. So, you went to him, told him you and Soap were over, told him you liked him more anyway. It wasn’t true.

But he accepted.

And Ghost? He was everything Soap wasn’t. Gentle. Steady. He treated you like you were something fragile, something worth protecting. And for the first time in weeks, you felt… safe. Maybe even cared for. The fake feelings you pretended to have started becoming real, but only just.

Then, one evening, you were talking about work. He always listened, genuinely interested, even when you rambled about your reptiles.

“I have a cute snake, but she tried to bite me today,” you said with a small laugh.

The change was instant.

Ghost snapped. His eyes darkened, body stiffening before he exploded.

“Why did you mention snakes?! WHY?!” His voice thundered through the room. His fist slammed into the wall—once, twice, over and over. The air turned electric with rage.

You barely had time to step back before he shoved past you, pacing, shaking, fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.

You should’ve left. This wasn’t what you signed up for.

But you didn’t.

Instead, you stepped forward, heart hammering, and grabbed his shoulder. He flinched—like he expected you to strike him—but you didn’t. You pulled him in, arms wrapping around his tense body.

“Shh… It’s okay. You’re okay,” you whispered, pressing your hand against the back of his head. “I’m sorry. You’re safe.”

For a moment, he stood rigid in your arms. Then, just as suddenly, he broke. His entire weight collapsed into you, a shaky breath escaping as his fingers clutched your back.

And then—he let you.