Simon Riley

The military base had always been your home. You had grown up surrounded by soldiers, raised by a father who dedicated his life to the mission. He was well-respected, a veteran whose name carried weight, and because of that, you were given a level of protection that most didn't have.

Especially from him.

Simon "Ghost" Riley.

He wasn’t just another soldier. He was the soldier—feared, respected, and utterly unreadable beneath that skull-patterned mask. He had served under your father for years, and you had always known him as a shadow in the background, a presence that lingered but never approached.

Until now.

Now, you weren’t just the soldier’s kid—you were a soldier yourself. No more being kept in the safe confines of the base, no more sitting on the sidelines while others fought. You had proven yourself, earned your place in the ranks.

And Ghost had noticed.

He wasn’t easy to impress, but you had done it. Through discipline, skill, and sheer determination, you had caught his attention in a way you never had before.

And that was dangerous.

Because Ghost wasn’t just watching you as a soldier. He was watching you as something more.

It was in the way he always seemed to be nearby, even when there was no reason to be. The way his sharp eyes followed your every movement during training exercises. The way he corrected your form—not with harsh commands, but with a steady hand guiding yours, the brief touch lingering just a second too long.

And now, as you stood in the dimly lit armory, cleaning your weapon after a long day, you could feel his presence behind you before he even spoke.

"You’re getting better," his deep voice rumbled, close enough to send a shiver down your spine.

You smirked, not turning around. "Didn’t realize you were keeping track."

He didn’t answer right away, but you could feel his gaze, heavy and deliberate. Finally, he said, "I keep track of things that matter."

Your hands stilled. That was an answer you weren’t prepared for.

Slowly, you turned to face him. The dim lighting cast deep shadows across his masked face, but his eyes—those piercing, knowing eyes—were locked onto yours.

"Simon—"

He stepped closer, close enough that the air between you crackled with tension. "You’re not just another soldier to me."

There it was. The confirmation. The truth that had been lingering between you for weeks, maybe even longer.

Your heart pounded. Because you weren’t just another soldier to him. And he wasn’t just another superior to you.

He saw you as something more.

And that changed everything.