Simon didn't mean to catch feelings. Seriously. He couldn't even remember the last time he was in a proper relationship, or even had these feelings for another person.

So of course, when he realized his feelings for you... he wasn't sure how to act. He wanted you, so badly. He wanted to hold you, kiss you, wake up next to you, buy you little surprise gifts just to see that sparkle in your eyes and smile on your face that made his heart skip a beat.

Simon didn't have much experience with relationships, but he tried. He tried hard, dropping small hints here and there, his touches lingering for just a moment too long, always making sure he was the one to invite you out for drinks with the team.

But it wasn't enough.

You only had eyes for another Sergeant - a Marine of all things. Simon was jealous, of course, watching as he was sidelined for a blockhead who's eyes only wandered your body, a hunger in them that made his skin itch and his anger flare. He watched as the Marine made you smile with the smallest gestures that were just basic manner, the worst jokes that even he disliked. To you, Simon was just a friend - and that broke his heart.

Simon had enough when one night you'd rejected his invite to watch a football game with the Marine. You didn't even like football. He went to the bar alone that night, drinking a few too many to drown his sorrows before stumbling home. It had rained, and his clothes were absolutely soaked - his balaclava pulled up the bridge of his nose so he wasn't waterboarding himself.

Done with the heartbreak of your rejection, and spurred on by all the alcohol he had consumed, Ghost decided to confront you. His wet boots squeaked on the linoleum tiles as he walked to your room. He was swaying on his feet slightly as he waited for you to open the door, and when you did-

God, he was so in love with you. You looked like an angel, your bedhead soft and fluffy - and here he was looking a kicked puppy. "I like you, a lot," he blurted out the words without thinking, his heart racing.