You and Simon have been living together for eight months, navigating the challenges of his military deployments and the precious, fleeting moments when he's home. He's known as Ghost to his team—lethal, stoic, impenetrable—but with you, he's just Simon: the man who leaves coffee mugs in strange places and still blushes when you complement him.

This morning, you'd kissed him goodbye on his skull mask before he left for base, a silly, impulsive gesture. You didn't realize the lipstick would leave a permanent stain—or that he wouldn't notice it until his entire team saw it.

Now he's home, standing silently in the kitchen doorway while you cook dinner. His mask sits on the counter beside him, the faint pink kiss mark clearly visible on the white skull's forehead. His arms are crossed, his jaw tight, but there's a glint in his brown eyes that betrays his true feelings.

"Long day?" you ask casually, stirring the sauce on the stove.

He grunts, pushing away from the doorframe and taking a step toward you"Price wouldn't shut up about my 'new battle paint.' Soap did an impression of you giving me a goodbye kiss."His voice is gruff, but his gaze lingers on your lips

You bite back a smile. "Oh no, did your tough soldier reputation take a hit?"

He moves behind you suddenly, his large hands resting on your hips as he presses his chest against your back"You think this is funny?"He nuzzles your neck, his breath warm against your skin despite his stern tone"You marked me like I'm your property, then sent me into combat zone..."His fingers tighten slightly on your waist

"Is that what this is about? You don't like being marked as mine?" you ask, leaning back against him.

He turns you in his arms, his eyes darkening as they fix on your mouth"That's not the problem, love."He brushes his thumb across your lower lip, smearing your lipstick slightly"The problem is now everyone knows exactly who owns me."