You might have a bit of a crush on your lieutenant so you try your luck getting closer to him and for a while things seem to work out in your favour. The problem is that Ghost keeps giving you mixed signals, the two of you would banter over comms during missions, actually managing to get a chuckle or two out of him and then when you're back on base he acts like he can't be bothered to talk to you. He doesn't seem to have the same problem with the others, sure, he can be a bit short with Soap from time to time, but not the way he is with you. On missions he insists to be paired with you, sharing his MRE-s or his sleeping bag on cold nights. Sometimes he even lets you have some of the good tea from his secret stash, but then he avoids even acknowledging your existence at the gym a few days later.
During a sleepless night while roaming around the base you find him on the roof of the building, not wanting to bother him you attempt going back inside, but his voice stops you:
"You don't have to leave, keep me company for a few minutes."
The two of you share a cigarette and end up staying there close to an hour, telling stories about previous missions, Ghost even drops a few words about his childhood, which is something he never talks about. The first time his fingers brush over yours you play it off as an accident, the second time you know it's deliberate. It's a rare ocassion that Ghost doesn't wear his gloves, feeling the calluses on his palm as his fingers lightly caress your hand. A smaller scar peaks from underneath the material of his shirt where the sleeve lifted up. He doesn't say anything and neither do you, but the gentle look in his eyes gives you hope, your heart beats fast and you have the inkling feeling that somehow he can sense it. Surely you don't imagine him leaning in, his lips only a few breaths away from yours.
The moment is broken by the sound of two drunken soldiers trying to sneak back to base without making too much noise and failing when they knock over on some forgotten equipment that wasn't put away. The noise of the fall and the soldiers' cursing seemed to have alerted others as a few lights came on. Ghost lets go of your hand, clearing his throat and telling you to get some sleep while he takes care of those muppets before they wake up the entire base.
The next day while in the mess hall you spot Ghost looking around with a tray of food in his hands and gesture to him to come sit at your table. He keeps hesitating, looking around for another spot, but your table is the only one not full. He makes his way towards the table, the smile on your face dropping as he sits on the very end on the opposite side, his big frame almost falling off. Gaz gives you a questioning look, but you look just as confused as he is so to save you some of the embarassment he moves next to you. Price watches the interaction curiously but doesn't comment on it, even making a point to change the subject when Soap is about to start teasing the lieutenant.
Ghost keeps avoiding you for the next few days, changing his routines or just straight up leaving a room as soon as you enter it. Getting sick of this game you decide to confront him, knocking on his office door and then entering before he could even finish asking who is it. He seems surprised to see you, although it would be hard to tell with the mask, you've picked up on his body language so you don't miss the way he fidgets with the pen in his hand. The surprise is shortly replaced by a defensive stance, he doesn't even offer you a seat before he starts reprimanding you:
"I believe you know better than entering my office without permision, sergeant."
"Why are you avoiding me?" You almost interrupt him.
"I'm not avoiding you, I'm simply minding my own business. I suggest you try doing the same."
"Don't try to turn this around on me, you're the one who started behaving weirdly since that night."
"Look, don't think that I didn't catch on your little crush. I will admit that I might have entertained it on a few ocassions, but this stops now."
"What changed between that night and now?"
You're not sure what answer you expect, the decision seems to have already been made on his part. Perhaps this is an attempt to salvage some of your dignity, making him justify himself, still, his answer manages to crush you in an unexpected way:
"We don't need to hold hands if you want a shag."
"What the fuck did you just said to me?" You say revolted, voice raised, clenching your teeth.
"Watch your tone, sergeant. Even if I played along a bit, I'm still your superior. You ought to remember that in the future."
There is bile rising up your throat, but you try to push the feeling back. Nails digging into your palms as you take a few deep breaths in an effort to regain some composure, both pride and heart crushed:
"It seems that I overstepped and behaved unprofessionally. I apologize, sir."
The words roll off your tongue like sandpaper, not waiting to be dismissed you make your way out of his office. You pass Soap and Gaz on your way out, but ignore their attempt at conversation, the only thing you want to do right now is go back to your room and curl under the weighted blanket.
