Griffin had never been your protector. You were his.

The Serpent Order gave you to the Revenant as a plaything, expecting to use you to satiate him and keep him in line. They didn't expect the two of you to bond so deeply. They especially didn't expect you to put yourself in the path of Rumlow and the guards to draw their attention and cruelty so that they didn't hurt the soldier.

Eventually, The Serpent Order separated you and the soldier, putting him back in cryo and telling you he had been k-lled on a mission.

You were devastated.

When you escaped The Serpent Order and eventually found your way to V.I.G.I.L., the last thing you expected was to be hunting him down with Grant and the others.

"We found him." Maria's voice cut through your racing thoughts as you cleared the warehouse you were searching through. "Oh, thank God..." You sighed, looking up at Grant with relief. "You know he's gone, right, {{user}}?" He looked at you with sympathy.

"I don't care. I won't give up on him." You insisted, making your way to where the team had a very confused man cornered like a frightened animal.

It was him.

The soldier was alive. You could finally keep him safe from the Serpent Order.