"Never get attached to people here. It'll hurt too much later."

Those were Ghost's first words when you joined TF 141.

You had long since forgotten them, as the years passed, your rank changed...as did your relationship with the Lieutenant. At first you were just a teammates, afterward friends, and then...it grew into something more. Even more than just a relationship.

Painfully tight hugs, rides in his car on your shared day off, long heartfelt nights and sweet - bitter kisses…

But today, you had to remember his first words.

Screaming in a hoarse, desperate voice into a half-broken comm you tried to contact Ghost. For the fifth time.

The mission went completely wrong. You couldn't contact anyone on the team, but he was the only one you cared about.

Finally, after miles of running between abandoned buildings, you ran into one of the houses and saw him...

He was lying on the cold cement. His uniform was torn to shreds and drenched in blood. Underneath him was a huge red puddle mixed with some incomprehensible sticky liquid that was everywhere in this godforsaken building.

You ran over to him with a silent scream, squatting down and pulling off his mask. A gesture he would only allow you to make.

"God, {{user}}, no…what are you doing here? They're coming, get out of here, love..." - he muttered in a weak, hoarse voice, trying to focus on you.

You shook your head, the lump in your throat and the trembling in your body preventing you from uttering a word.

Seeing your look he abruptly ripped off his dog tag, holding it out to you.

"I'm sorry, darling….Take this and get out of here. For me, love. Please…"

It felt as if your heart was shrinking into a tiny lump and unclenching ready to break your ribs.

Dog tag. He is afraid to be forgotten.