COD Oneshots

Sun (Ghost)

The evening air was thick with the smell of charred wood and smoke, the remnants of their makeshift campfire rising into the twilight. Simon "Ghost" Riley sat with his comrades, the weight of the day's mission still pressing on their weary shoulders. The night was quiet, save for the occasional crackle of burning embers and the distant rustling of leaves. This was their time to unwind, to let the tension of battle ebb away, if only for a few fleeting moments.

Soap, always the more talkative of the group, leaned back against a log, his blue eyes glinting mischievously in the firelight. "So, Ghost," he began, his tone teasing but curious, "what's Y/N like? I mean, we all know she's brilliant with the tech, but what's she like as a partner?"

The question caught Ghost off guard. Simon was a man of few words, especially when it came to his personal life. His relationship with Y/N had always been something he kept close to his chest, a part of his world that was untouched by the chaos of war. The others had seen glimpses of her through their interactions, but Ghost had never been one to openly discuss his feelings. Tonight, though, something was different. Perhaps it was the camaraderie, the shared exhaustion, or the way the firelight softened the edges of the world around them. For the first time, Ghost decided to let his guard down.

He took a deep breath, staring into the dancing flames as he gathered his thoughts. "She loves like the sun," he began, his voice low and thoughtful. The others quieted, leaning in slightly to catch his words. "Daily. Even in the cloudy days, the sun is still there."

Soap's teasing smile faded, replaced by genuine curiosity. He had never heard Ghost speak like this before. The man who was a living embodiment of war, whose presence was as silent and deadly as his namesake, was showing a side of himself that was entirely unexpected.

"She's the epitome of beauty," Ghost continued, his eyes softening as he spoke. "Not just in how she looks, though she is beautiful, but in how she carries herself. How she sees the world."

There was a pause, the silence filled with the crackling of the fire. The other soldiers listened intently, as if Ghost's words were more precious than the gold they fought for.

"She wouldn't even harm the smallest ant," he said, a hint of a smile touching the corners of his mouth. "And if she did it on accident, she'd cry." The others chuckled softly, but it was a sound of understanding rather than mockery.

Ghost's thoughts drifted back to moments with Y/N—her gentleness, her kindness, and the way she approached life with a sort of quiet strength that was so different from the world he knew. She was his opposite in so many ways, yet that's what made their relationship work. She was the light in his life, the one who reminded him that there was still good in the world, even when everything around them was dark.

"I'm not an easy man to be with," Ghost admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But she... she makes it seem like I'm worth it. Like I'm someone who deserves that kind of love."

The fire crackled again, and for a moment, Ghost was silent, lost in his thoughts. He wasn't used to talking like this, to exposing the parts of himself that he usually kept hidden behind a mask—both literal and metaphorical. But it felt good, in a way, to share a piece of Y/N with the people he trusted most in the world.

Soap nodded, his expression more serious now. "Sounds like you're a lucky man, Ghost."

"Yeah," Ghost agreed, his gaze still fixed on the fire. "I am."

The night continued on, the conversation eventually shifting to other topics, but the air around them felt different. Lighter. For a brief moment, the war was forgotten, replaced by thoughts of home, love, and the people who made life worth fighting for. And in that moment, Simon "Ghost" Riley felt a little more human, a little more connected to the world beyond the battlefield. All because of Y/N—the woman who loved like the sun.

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The mission had been grueling, stretching far longer than anyone had anticipated. Days bled into nights, the hours marked only by the passage of time and the relentless push forward. But through it all, Ghost had one thought that kept him going—Y/N. The memory of her smile, the sound of her laughter, the warmth she brought into his life, it was all he could think about as he pushed through the fatigue and the danger.

As soon as they were cleared to return home, Ghost wasted no time. The moment he stepped off the plane and his boots hit solid ground, he was moving. He raced through the usual post-mission debriefings and formalities with a single-minded determination, his mind fixed on one goal: getting to her.

He had never been one for grand gestures, but this time was different. The conversation around the campfire with his comrades had stirred something in him. For years, he had kept his feelings buried, hidden beneath layers of armor and stoicism. But now, he realized how much he needed to tell her, to show her what she meant to him. He couldn't let another day pass without making sure she knew.

As he drove through the city streets, the ring in his pocket felt heavier than ever. He had bought it after their very first date, something inside him knowing even then that she was the one. He wanted to marry her, to build a life with her—a home, a family, maybe even a few children if she wanted. He had never been one to dream of such things, but with Y/N, it all seemed possible.

The streetlights blurred past him as he sped through the night, the thought of her waiting for him making his heart race. He imagined her sitting in their living room, perhaps curled up with a book, or maybe tinkering with some new piece of tech she was excited about. The thought brought a smile to his face, a rare and genuine expression that only she could evoke.

Finally, he reached their home—a modest, cozy place that had become his sanctuary. He parked the car haphazardly and practically leaped out, taking the steps to the front door two at a time. His hand shook slightly as he unlocked the door and pushed it open.

There she was, just as he had imagined. She was sitting on the couch, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw him. "Simon!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy and relief as she jumped up to greet him.

He didn't say a word at first, just pulled her into his arms, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. And to him, she was. She had always been.

"Y/N," he whispered into her hair, his voice rough with emotion. "There's something I need to tell you."

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with those bright, caring eyes that he adored. "What is it?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

Ghost took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small velvet box, holding it out to her. Y/N's eyes widened in surprise, her hand flying to her mouth.

"I've had this since our first date," he began, his voice low but steady. "I knew from the moment I met you that you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I've kept this with me all this time, waiting for the right moment. And after everything... I can't wait any longer."

He got down on one knee, opening the box to reveal the ring inside—a simple, elegant band that he had chosen with her in mind, something that reflected her understated beauty and grace.

"Y/N," he said, looking up at her with more vulnerability than he had ever shown to anyone. "Will you marry me? Will you build a life with me, a family, if that's what you want? I need you to know how much you mean to me, how much your love has saved me. I can't imagine my life without you."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she was smiling—a smile that made his heart swell with love. "Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Yes, Simon, I will marry you. I love you so much."

He slipped the ring onto her finger, and when he stood, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a kiss that was filled with all the love and promise of the future they would build together.