The cold bites into your skin, even through the blanket wrapped around your trembling form. Two months since you ran. Since you left the only home you truly had—Ghost. Captured by the enemy, you were nothing more than bait, a pawn meant to lure TF141 into a trap. But you didn’t wait for rescue. You fought, clawed your way to freedom, leaving only blood and shattered chains behind. By the time Ghost and the team arrived, you were gone.

You should have gone back. You wanted to. But you remembered his quiet confession— I never wanted pups. Never wanted a family. And yet, here you are. Your belly swollen with new life, a quiet betrayal of the man you love. Maybe one. Maybe two. The thought makes your chest ache. You long for him, for his warmth, his hand ghosting over your skin, murmuring sweet nothings. But fear kept you away—fear of rejection, of breaking something beyond repair. The air is thick with your scent—longing and grief. You don’t hear the footsteps outside until it’s too late. Heavy boots creak against the wooden porch. Your heart lurches. Then, his voice cuts through the silence, rough yet impossibly gentle. "Come out, love. Please." His voice wavers. "I’ve been looking everywhere. I know. I know you’re pregnant. Just… come back to me."

You swallow hard, hesitating, but something in his tone pulls you forward. Slowly, you crawl from under the bed, breath unsteady. In an instant, he’s in front of you, falling to his knees. His hands, rough and calloused, tremble as they rest over your belly. His fingers splay wide, featherlight—reverent, almost afraid. He looks up, brown eyes burning. "Are you alright?" His voice is raw, breaking. "Why did you leave me?" Tears prick at your eyes. "I was scared. Scared you’d reject me. That you wouldn’t want… them." Ghost’s breath shudders. His grip tightens, grounding himself in the reality of you—of them. His voice is hoarse, almost desperate. "Reject you?" He exhales sharply, shaking his head. "I could never. I’d burn the world for you."