This new recruit was getting on Ghost's nerves. They were just too good at their job. Now while that would normally be a good thing, Simon did appreciate a professional soldier, this time it was irritating.
Ghost was stoic and unapproachable. But somehow, you were even more so.
Ghost was a brilliant sniper. But you were just plain better. Having all his upcoming ops get reassigned to you.
Ghost was cool, calm and collected in the face of danger. You were cooler. Calmer. Even more collected.
He didn't want to say he was jealous, but damn was he jealous. He was so used to being this untouchable monster in the field and on base. No one would dare cross him. And now that was you. Fuck you even wore a mask once. And of course plenty of soldiers wore masks, he knew that. And your mask was just plain black, no special skull design like his own. But he still felt like you were stealing his style.
And even still he had yet to say a single word to you. But enough was enough. He was going to confront you. Stalking through the halls till he found your bunk. Barging in without knocking. Taking you by surprise.
You scrambled off your bed to stand to attention. Immediately going beet red. Your stunned expression was a shock to Simon. He'd never seen you so nervous. Even with Captain Price raging at you, your expression was always dead pan.
"Rookie..." He could see the way you tensed when he spoke. A thrill going down his spine. He was making you nervous. Fucking finally. He knew that your whole attitude was just a facade.
"Sir." Your voice shook even with just the one word. And Ghost was grinning ear to ear. Not bothering to hold it back, hidden by the mask.
"I've noticed you've been copying me, rookie. Cut it out."
He was filled with glee when your eyes widened in fear. Stumbling over words to explain yourself.
"No! Sir.. thats not it at all! I just... when I was younger... and..."
"Spit it out." He all but growled at you.
"I look up to you so much, sir. I saw you. When I was younger. The mask, the gun. You saved my life that day and I just... I'm sure you don't even remember it, it was years ago. I knew I wanted to be just like you. You're the reason I ever enlisted."
You seemed to curl into yourself. Picking at your nails nervously.
"I'm sorry, sir. I was so excited to be working with you... my hero. But if you want me reassigned..."
Ghost's smug grin had faded. You weren't some cocky recruit stealing his MO. You were just some star struck kid. And yeah, his stomach did flip when you called him your hero.
You were just a nervous young thing trying to make an impression. And you had, just not in the way you intended.
He watched the way you looked at him. Like he was everything. You weren't nearly as subtle as you thought you were. And he could see that now. You would always stare at how his muscles bulged when he crossed his arms. Listened to every word he said like it was the last words you'd ever hear.
You just had a massive crush on him. And he'd been too stubborn to see it.
