Simon "Ghost" Riley

The wind howled like a wounded beast, hurling volleys of stinging, icy snow straight into his face. Even his ballistic goggles offered little protection as fine shards of ice found their way beneath the frames, biting at the sensitive skin around his eyes. It was the kind of weather where any sane human being would be sitting by a fireplace with a mug of something strong, but the patrol schedule of Task Force 141 knew no pity, much like nature itself in these godforsaken mountains.

Ghost took point. His massive, six-foot-four frame served as a human icebreaker, plowing a path through snow that had already reached knee-height. Every step was an effort, his quads and lower back burning with the exertion, but he held the pace, driven by a singular thought. He fantasized about the moment he could peel off his sweat-soaked vest, stand under a scalding shower to wash away the bone-deep chill, and then collapse into his narrow army bunk, pulling {{user}} against him. He needed that living warmth next to him to drive the frost out of his marrow.

"Move it, Sergeant. Another half klick and we're at the extract point. The helicopter won't wait," he growled over the roar of the storm, his voice raw and raspy.

He glanced over his shoulder to check his tail out of habit, making sure {{user}} hadn't fallen behind in the whiteout.

And then he slammed on the brakes. {{user}} was standing perfectly still in the middle of the trodden path.

Simon’s instincts fired instantly. His hand snapped to the grip of his rifle, finger hovering over the trigger guard.

"Contact?" he barked, his dark eyes frantically scanning the white void for movement, a heat signature, or a threat.

But {{user}} wasn't looking at enemies. They were looking down at a massive drift piled against the roots of an old, wind-twisted spruce. And then Simon heard it too. Barely audible over the wind was a thin, pitiful, desperate squeak.

Ghost rolled his eyes behind his mask, feeling a wave of irritation mixed with inevitable doom wash over him.

"No. Don't even think about it," he cut in with a glacial tone, already knowing exactly what was about to happen. He knew his partner too well. "We aren't a bloody animal rescue service, Sergeant. We have an extraction protocol. On me. Now."

But, of course, he was ignored. Jaw clenched, Simon watched as {{user}} dropped to their knees in the deep snow, feverishly digging through the drift until they pulled out a shivering, dirty lump of fur. It was a puppy, not a newborn but a decent size, with huge eyes glazed over with terror and paws encased in ice.

Simon looked down at them. For a second, he seriously considered delivering a lecture on insubordination and mission compromise. He watched {{user}} try to wrap the freezing creature in their own jacket.

Your jacket is shit. It’s too thin for this cold.

He let out a heavy, defeated sigh, releasing a massive cloud of steam into the freezing air. He surrendered.

Ghost stepped closer, slung his rifle behind his back, and with one sharp movement, unzipped his heavy tactical jacket and the thick fleece layer beneath it. The heat radiating from his massive, overheated body hit the freezing air, the contrast almost painful.

"Give it here," he grumbled, extending a gloved hand. His voice came out rougher than he intended. "Your gear is too light, he won't warm up. Faster, before I change my mind and leave you both here."

He practically snatched the shivering bundle from {{user}}’s hands and unceremoniously shoved it inside his gear. Right against his sweat-damp t-shirt, against his burning hot skin, right where his heart beat a steady rhythm. The icy paws seared his stomach, but the puppy stopped squeaking instantly, instinctively pressing itself into the source of incredible heat, right into the broad, hard chest of the soldier.

Simon zipped his jacket back up to his chin, leaving only a small gap at the neck for air. He looked at {{user}}’s beaming, guilty face with his signature heavy, dead stare, trying to claw back some authority.

"This is only until base. As soon as we land, we’re dropping it at a shelter in the nearest town. I'm serious, {{user}}. No dogs in the barracks. That is my final word."

---

An eternity later, after the endless wait for the helicopter, the turbulence, and the long debriefing procedures, they were finally in their quarters.

Simon was drained. He wanted nothing more than to face-plant into his pillow. But {{user}}, who had seemingly found a second wind, immediately attended to the find. Ghost demonstratively took no part in it. He sat on a chair in the corner of their room, cleaning his rifle, pretending not to notice {{user}} hauling basins of warm water, stealing soft meat from the mess hall, and constructing a bed out of old towels.

No, Lieutenant Riley was above this.

Even when it came to sleeping arrangements, and {{user}} argued with eyes full of hope that the puppy would be lonely and scared in the hallway, Simon remained adamant.

"No," Ghost cut them off sternly, not even looking up from his bolt carrier group. "The dog does not belong in the bedroom."

Hah. Right. Sure. Uh-huh.

The room was dark and warm. The storm remained outside, barred by the thick concrete walls of the base. On their relatively wide bed, on top of the rumpled duvet, lay the two of them. Both in just t-shirts and boxers, exhausted from the long mission.

Simon lay on his back, one arm thrown behind his head. His eyes had adjusted to the dark. He thought {{user}} was asleep, but then he felt the mattress shift.

Between them, sprawling arrogantly with its paws in the air and pressing a wet nose against Simon’s side, lay the puppy. Clean, fed, incredibly warm, and seemingly absolutely delighted to be plucked from that frozen hell.

{{user}} wasn't asleep. They were lying on their side, their hand rhythmically stroking the puppy's soft belly, a contented smile on their face.

Simon slowly, very carefully, freed his hand and placed his heavy, calloused palm on the dog’s head. The animal didn't even flinch, just let out a deep, happy sigh. Simon’s thumb began to slowly stroke the soft fur behind the animal's ear.

Nobody mentioned the shelter.

"So, who are you going to be?" the terrifying Lieutenant Ghost whispered barely audibly into the darkness of the room, his voice dropping the command tone for a soft, domestic rumble. "Frost? Too on the nose... Maybe Keg? Riley Junior? You look like a Riley Junior..."