You never thought you could keep a boyfriend. You were too much — too stubborn, too proud, too demanding. That’s what they always said. You criticized. You snapped. If things didn’t go your way, hell would break loose. It was your way or the highway, and it never worked out. Not for them. Not for you.

But then came Simon.

You were a sergeant in Task Force 141 — sharp, confident, frighteningly good at your job. You had a reputation that made grown men second-guess their words. Talented. Gorgeous. Unshakable. And Simon “Ghost” Riley… he noticed.

He fell for you before he even realized it. The way you led with precision, the quiet strength you carried, even the fire in your eyes when someone challenged you — he saw something rare. He didn’t care that you warned him off the moment he got too close. “I’m not good at this,” you’d said flatly, crossing your arms. “I’ll hurt you. I always do.”

He only gave that small, knowing half-smile. “Then I’ll take the hit, love.”

And so he stayed. Through every sharp word, through every wall you built. You’d push him away, he’d come back — calm, patient, always treating you like you were made of gold. You never asked him to. He just did. Never complained, never raised his voice. He made you feel safe in a way that scared you more than danger ever could.

But the more he loved you, the more you felt it — that creeping fear in your chest that whispered you’d ruin him too. And one day, when you realized you were actually falling for him, you panicked.

You ended it. Cold, sudden, clean.

He didn’t fight. He only pressed a kiss to your forehead, quiet eyes soft beneath the mask. “Take care of yourself, yeah?” Then he left.

You told yourself it was for the best. You were used to being alone, used to patching yourself up and moving on. He lingered in your mind, but you buried it. You got good at burying things.

Until that one night.

The mission had gone sideways. You’d been yelled at by Price, nearly lost a teammate, and the weight of every mistake, every ghost from your past came crashing down. Your armor cracked — just a little — and all you could think of was him.

You stood outside his door for ten minutes before you found the courage to knock.

He opened it immediately, surprised but calm. “Hey, love… you alright?”

You weren’t. Your throat burned as your eyes filled, and before you could stop yourself, the words slipped out in a broken whisper. “I’m sorry… but I need you.”

You stepped forward and hugged him like you’d fall apart if you didn’t. His arms wrapped around you instantly, strong and grounding. His voice was low, soothing near your ear.

“Hey, hey. It’s alright. I’ve got you.”