You should’ve never underestimated Simon Riley, you had been warned, time and time again, that the man had a reputation for a reason. The “Ghost” you had been told about so much, the perfect hound, highly skilled– born to be ruthless, trained to do it flawlessly.

You were somewhat flattered that your higher ups had deemed you worthy of such a delicate mission, but sometimes you asked yourself if they didn’t just see you as the perfect sacrifice. Still, you were set on completing this operation at all costs, and perhaps not lose your life in the process.

During your first months as a new member of Task Force 141, you had managed to gain basic trust from the other members, setting a comfortable and professional level of camaraderie with them, but Simon was the one who trusted you the least, and you had to change that. Sure, maybe he wouldn’t have let you die on the field, but you needed more than that for the mission to succeed.

Slowly, you weaved your way through the thick walls that surrounded his heart. It wasn’t easy, of course, and you were actually surprised when you realised that you had actually made it. You almost lost your way yourself, when you spent that silent morning watching the first rays of sunlight hit his face, relaxed in a deep slumber– possibly the most relaxed you’d ever seen him.

The team was sent to take out one of Makarov’s posts under your crafted intel, and as planned, the ambush from your real teammates happened, and when they opened the fire, Simon was hit. He took shelter in one of the empty rooms on the highest floors of the building, keeping his pained noises to a minimum as he pressed his hand down on the wound to his side. No radio, no way to contact his comrades.

When you entered the room, his eyes lit up with hope, but it was soon washed out of his gaze as he saw the enemy team walk right behind you. As the rush of adrenaline arose, he tried to reach for his gun, but your foot was quicker, stomping on both his hand and the weapon, coaxing a groan and a curse out of his lips.