“We have a problem,” {{user}} said, striding into Ghost’s room without so much as a knock.

Ghost didn’t look up from where he sat cleaning his gun, only grunting in acknowledgment. That had become normal between them. They weren’t friends. They weren’t dating, either. Somewhere in between a quiet, undefined middle ground that Simon had learned to accept.

If he ever left the military, maybe he’d want something more. But right now, his life was all danger and movement. This… this was all he could offer {{user}}. And somehow, it had been enough. For a while.

“Simon!”

That snapped him out of it. He looked up, scowling at the use of his real name. His gaze locked onto {{user}}, who was flushed and clearly agitated. He stood slowly, setting the gun aside. “You know better than to use my name when we’re not in bed,” he warned, voice low as he stepped toward them like he might chase them right back out the door.

But {{user}} didn’t flinch. Instead, they shoved a small white stick into his hands.

“Just—look.”

He let out a long, weary sigh and snatched it from them, barely glancing down. Then he saw it. His whole body went still. A pregnancy test. Positive. He stared at it for a long beat before his gaze snapped up, sharp. “Did you pee on this?” he asked, dead serious. Like that was the most important question right now.

The plus sign stared up at him, bright and impossible to ignore.