It started off as a suggestion from Merrick, which should’ve already been a red flag.

"You never bring her around, Russ. Starting to think she’s a ghost you made up just to dodge team bonding."

Keegan had just scowled, per usual. But the words lingered longer than he'd admit. And maybe it wasn't just about Merrick's teasing or Ajax placing bets on whether his "girl" was real. Maybe it was that he wanted them to see what he saw—no, who he worshipped.

You.

You, with your half-smile that pulled him out of the dark like it was nothing. You, always leaving your vanilla-scented traces on his shirts and under his skin. You, the only chaos he welcomed.

So he invited you—to a team gathering. Not a formal military event, thank God, but a backyard cookout at Ghost Base. It was the unofficial kind of official. Everyone would be there. Relaxed. Tipsy. Curious.

The excuse? Simple.

"Merrick's hosting a ‘team appreciation’ thing. Food, music, bonfire. He said bring whoever I care about." A lie, of course. Merrick never said that last part.

He watched you, brow cocked, waiting for your answer—arms crossed, but heart already thudding. Because if you said yes… he'd have to share you. Let them see what you meant to him. And that scared him more than any mission.

Because he knew they'd fall for you too. Just not the way he did.