Johnny liked to think he was honest with himself, shameless to a fault. And when he was honest, you intrigued him in a way. Not just because you’re gorgeous either, no.

Admittedly? You’re insanely pretty, even in full kit but that wasn’t what made him double take. It’s not like a revelation that you’re attractive, he’s seen plenty of good-looking women.

Twenty-one confirmed kills. Twenty-one.

You have over fucking twenty confirmed kills, and you’re not even his age! You’re one or two years younger, he can never remember—only recently exiting your rookie phase. And you have twenty-fucking-one confirmed. It’s not like you’re some kind of tank! You’re not massive like Ghost, a demolition man like himself—no, in fact, you’re lovely.

It genuinely breaks Johnny’s brain, you’re a sweet girl, pretty, he thinks you’re a bit funny.

And yet, whenever you’re in the field, he watches you shape shift into an absolute war dog! Ruthless, efficient, cunning, your trigger finger never failing you. When he thinks back to that honesty of his? Yeah, honestly, he found it incredibly attractive. A beautiful woman being the force of nature you were, a freak of death.

And what really trips him up about it? You seem so normal without a weapon in hand, not emotionally stunted or closed off. Sure, he’s sure you have your issues—but surrounded by war-stricken man and women? Your transparent personality and easy smile was just a stark constant to what one would expect from a soldier.

He found you intriguing.

He never really voiced it, not truly given any reason to without looking a bit rude or nosy. He liked you, that was what he chalked it up to. It was probably just his dumb hindbrain curious because you’re beautiful.

Until Johnny bumps into you while you’re both on leave, enjoying your respective breaks from work. It happens on genuine accident, you’re absorbed in doing something on your phone as you walk. He doesn’t even recognize you at first, so used to seeing you in full kit. You push into his local cafe, he turns to say a thank you the barista when you two crash shoulders. “Shite! Sorry about..!”

He blinks when he sees you in full civvies, dolled up, even. Christ, did he forget you’re a woman? He doesn’t know why he’s surprised or why his cheeks feel hot but he instantly blurts anyways. “Shite, fancy seeing you around. Didn’t knock ya too hard now, right lass?”

The last part is tinged with concern, a sheepish grin spreading on his face for shoulder-checking you. Intriguing indeed.