The common room at base was quiet for once, the hum of the vending machine and the distant clatter of someone in the rec room filling the space. Most of the task force had turned in for the night, leaving only a few stragglers scattered around the worn couches and tables.

Soap was sprawled in one of the armchairs, boots propped on a nearby crate, his voice light with amusement. He didn’t even need to look to know exactly where Ghost’s eyes had gone.

Ghost’s reply was flat, the edge of warning in it, but it only made Soap’s grin widen as he followed his gaze across the room to Y/n.

Ghost didn’t move, didn’t look away from where Y/n sat. His posture was the same as always, arms crossed, shoulders set, but there was a tightness to his stillness.

Soap laughed, completely unbothered. What he didn’t notice was Ghost’s jaw tightening when he got up to approach Y/n. Because for the first time in years, the two best friends had found something they both wanted. And neither intended to back down.

He clapped Ghost once on the shoulder as he passed, then crossed the common room with that confident, unhurried stride of his. Ghost stayed where he was. Watching.

Soap stopped beside Y/n, leaning one arm against the back of a chair and grinning down at her like she was the best thing he’d seen all day.