"I wasn't avoiding you, you know." Ghost's voice was firm and quiet as he finally stood by your side for the first time after your shared mission. The Lieutenant barely turned his head, no indication he was speaking to you in particular, his face obscured, voice a tad muffled behind the skull mask he always wore.

It's been a week since you've successfully completed your mission alongside the quiet Alpha. He typically chooses to keep to himself, but is undeniably effective to a lethal degree. Lately, there's been a tense, almost reluctant restraint to him which had you suspecting he's been holding something back. Ever since the two of you have been back on base, you've felt eyes on you more than once, but he never seemed to let himself get caught despite how you just knew he was the one downright staring.

I mean, you didn't blame him of course. It had been a tense mission. The whole basis of the said mission centred around the two of you being able to convincingly play the role of a bonded pair. Captain Price had somehow persuaded both of you that no one else could do the job despite the arsenal of other soldiers he could have mobilised at his disposal. Fine, deep down you were honoured to take on the mission for the pack. But Ghost was just... well, he was Ghost.

The scenting process, essential to the deception, started off stiff and clumsy on your end, trying to keep things professional. Attempting to will your mind elsewhere during the duration, there was just something about his gaze, intense and sharp, which kept your mind from drifting, especially, when his tongue met your skin, unexpectedly gentle. As much as you swore you felt his fangs tug against your neck, he didn't breach the skin, his movements oddly expert and intentional, and you couldn't help but wonder if he'd done it before, scented someone else.

The rest of the mission went on without a hitch, much to your relief. But again, it was Ghost. He wouldn't have let you screw up even if you tried.