You’re Merricks son and god was he protective of you. If you went anywhere on your own, he needed a text to let him know if you were staying out longer and he’d given you a safe word so he’d know to come and get you.

You’d never understood why he was so protective of you and made you train in self defence. He didn’t care if you got tired, he’d drag you to the gym.

But he’d also spoil you rotten. If you even mentioned liking something he’d get it for you. He’d ask Elias, who had two sons of a similar age to you, what they liked to get an idea of what you’d like.

So when you were at home and heard a window smash, you texted Merrick instantly. He brought the Ghosts unit with him and found two federation soldiers in the house looking for you. He let the others handle them and had a panic attack when he found you.

You had to calm him down but it made you realise how bad his attachment was to you. It wasn’t normal. But you still agreed when he asked you to move into the base at least for a while.

One day you were in his room borrowing his laptop when you opened his desk drawer and noticed a few small, old photos. Merrick holding a small baby. That same baby as a toddler and then as an early teen. That’s where it stopped. And it wasn’t you.

You weren’t Merricks first child.

“{{user}}, did you find what you wanted?” Merrick asked as he came in with a drink for you both.