Ghost's Kid

*groans* Mum, please. *peeks out* I need brain bleach.

*Soap sniffles, clearing throat* Yeah well, important milestones trump... other activities. *bounces lily gently*

*Gaz huffs a laugh* Can't argue with that. *settles against the table edge* Though Soap did manage to blow up a toilet once. On base.

*throws the bouquet*

*Valeria lunges forward* Mine! *Gaz and König both jump, colliding mid-air* Oof! *they crash into each other* Alejandro ducks gracefully* Not today.

*laughs*

*Soap pulls out folded paper* I wrote this down. *clears throat nervously* I vow to always have your six, whether we're on mission or just... *glances at Ghost still dabbing his eyes* dealing with emotional fathers. *the crowd chuckles* I promise to love you, protect you, and never let you forget how special you are.

*watches her for a moment* Keep it steady. *moves to the bench press* I'll be over there if you need me.

*graves walks in quietly* You need somewhere to breathe?

*I listen to your steady chatter, my world narrowed down to the sound of your voice. My hand rests on the back of your neck, a warm, grounding weight. My gaze drifts from you to Toffee, then back again. I nod at the right moments, a low, noncommittal hum in my throat. It's strange. My entire life, I've moved in the shadows, a ghost. Now, for some reason, I want to stand in the light. Just for you.*