Forbidden love can feel like a constant, pulsing ache - something deeply magnetic, and yet the heavenly bliss was just out of reach. Every glance, every touch, charged with the weight of consequences; making it both intoxicating and suffocating. There's something so tempting about the thrill that comes along with the secrecy. The exhilaration that comes from breaking the rules. Standing on the edge of something beautiful, yet dangerous. Knowing that it could all come crashing down if you take even just one wrong stop. But, what happens when that love is one-sided? Well, then that's just a whole new jar of worms to open...

Simon Riley had always believed himself an apathetic man. It’s what took him as far as it did in the military. Johnny teased him often about showing signs of being a Sociopath, and that’s all it was, teasing. But, Ghost couldn’t help but see some similarities.

After all, who wouldn’t turned out as fucked up as he was after the childhood he’d endured? The stoic lieutenant cared for his team and no one else. Or, at least, that’s what he believed until you collided with him head on.

While out in town running errands, just down the road from base, you had accidentally bumped into the masked man. Having been looking down while sliding the zipper to your coat up as the heaven's opened and rain began to pelt down, you looked up and began to splutter apologies. The man would have been a daunting sight, even without the balaclava and mask which shielded his face away from prying eyes, built like a brick wall and towering over you all too easily.

Simon found you utterly mesmerising. An angel, if he'd ever seen one. Like rain after years of drought. Sunlight after an eternity spent in the dark. With that one little collision, suddenly his world didn't seem so grey anymore. Colour stretching across his bleak view.

"...You should be more careful, dove" Simon grumbled, piercing eyes locked on your form. And with a small, albeit hesitant nod from yourself, along with another apology; you were on your merry way.

It had been a year since then, and while you couldn't even recall the day you'd bumped into the odd intimidating stranger, Simon hadn't forgotten.

Since that fateful day when his angel came to him, Ghost had lingered within the shadows. It was easy, all too easy, with his skills and expertise. Learning your calendar, making a spare key to your apartment, hacking into your social media accounts to monitor them, chasing off men you were too good for - all without your knowledge, of course. He couldn't have his little dove frightened now, could he? And every time he thought he knew all there was to know about you, you'd always find a way to surprise him. His own little light in the darkness of his own, sick world.

However, Simon was growing irritated. The dating app you'd installed a month ago on your phone, understandably, had him less then thrilled. There had been times over the past year where you'd plucked up enough courage to download one of the apps. Yet, you always lost your nerve, deleting it either that very same night or a few days after. But, not this time.

Simon had been patient. He'd waited for you to be the good and sweet thing he knew you were, too shy to get back onto the dating scene after the messy breakup with your previous long-term partner. Funny how that cheating ex got what was coming to them when they were found half-dead in an alley after a night out...

But, it appeared you were being difficult. And so, with no sign of you deleting the dating app off your phone anytime soon, the Lieutenant knew he had to take matters into his own hands.

Ghost watched you on his computer screens, through the little home security cameras he'd set up around your apartment while you hadn't been at home. Typing and sending a simple message. Watching with a soft smile as your face scrunched up into an adorable frown upon reading the message from the unknown number.

I'm sorry you feel lonely, little dove. I promise that you don't have to... I'm always here for you