"Why didn’t you ask me…?"

Ghost’s voice was low, almost lost beneath the hum of laughter and music that filled the crowded party. Yet, there was an unmistakable edge to it, maybe out of jealousy and a little bit of hurt, as he looked at you. His dark eyes flickered over your costume, taking in every detail—the way the sleek, tight-fitting black dress hugged your figure, your usual gun strapped securely to your thigh. You looked incredible. Too incredible. Just like Mrs. Smith from Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

But that wasn’t the problem.

The problem was who you were matching with.

Across the room, Soap stood in a crisp suit, a matching gun holstered at his hip, completing the infamous duo. And just like that, Ghost wasn’t just watching a Halloween party anymore. He was watching his girl paired up with someone else.

The annual base Halloween party was supposed to be a chance to unwind, to forget the weight of their reality—just for a night. Soldiers dressed up, let loose, and indulged in rare moments of normalcy. The room was packed with costumes, laughter, and the clink of glasses. But Ghost? He was still in his uniform. He hadn’t dressed up.

And maybe now, he wished he had.