The fight from last night still echoed in your head.

A debrief turned into a disagreement. A disagreement turned into Ghost raising his voice - and you matching it. Something about trust. Something deeper neither of you would say out loud.

You walked out before either of you could fix it. Now, the silence between you was a war of its own.

In the cafeteria the next morning, you sat beside him - close enough to feel the heat off his arm, but not a word passed between you. His eyes stayed on the wall. Yours on your food.

At the range, it was the same. You both fired round after round downrange, emptying mags into paper and pretending the other didn’t exist.

But he was there. Always there.

You left first. He didn’t follow.

Later, you hit the gym, needing to move - to shake the tension out of your limbs. Halfway through your workout, Ramirez - a newer recruit - wandered over. Young, bold, still full of nerves and stupid confidence. He cracked a joke. Then another.

You laughed. Not much. Just enough to feel something other than the pressure from before.

Then everything shifted.

You felt him before you saw him.

Ghost. Standing at the gym entrance. Silent. Still.

His eyes were locked on you. And Ramirez.

He started walking. Slow. Controlled. Dangerous.

Ramirez didn’t see him until Ghost was right behind him.

“Something funny, Private?” His voice was low, but cold enough to chill your blood.

Ramirez stiffened. “No, sir- I was just-”

“You think interrupting a sergeants training is a joke?” Ghost stepped in close, towering over him.

“N-no, sir. I didn’t mean anything by it-”

Ghost leaned in, words quiet but lethal. “Then walk away before I make sure you’re pulling latrine duty until you forget how to smile.”

Ramirez blinked, nodded and backed away fast, practically tripping over himself.

You stood frozen.

Ghost turned to you.

He didn’t say anything at first - just stared. Like he was trying to burn through your skin with his eyes alone.

Then, without breaking eye contact, he grabbed your towel from the bench, tossed it at your chest and gave a sharp nod toward the door.

A command. Not a request.

“We’re resolving this issue. One way or another.”