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The Kind of Person He Falls For

I think Simon would fall for someone who can be absolutely patient with him. He isn't necessarily difficult, but he needs a longer time tovteust someone new. He needs someone who doesn't demand every piece of him, because he can't give that quickly, and definitely not all of himself. He has things he doesn't want to share, wounds that he will never speak of. He needs someone who can accept this.

It's important to him to know the other one doesn't feel occassional silence as a burden or depressing.

Someone who understands thaz sometimes he needs space, and that "I need time." doesn't mean "I don't care."

Someone warm. Not someone who is overly bubbly and outgoing, because that might overwhelm him on a certain level. Someone emotionally warm, who makes a room feel safer and brighter by being in it.

Someone who remembers simple things, like how he drinks his coffee and nktices when he's tired and quietly gives him a blanket instead of forcing him to speak or to go to sleep; he isn't a child, he knows ehen he needs to close his eyes. Sometimes he just needs a little space in those times.

Someone independent but not distant, and that's a big one. Simon doesn't want someone who entirely depends on him. He's rarely homey, sho that doesn't work out by any means. And he lokes competence and competent people. He likes reliability, nlt emotional distance. He wants a partner, not a dependent, not a roommate with benefits.

What About Another Soldier?

I think Simon can be easily attracted to another soldier by physique and personality. Maybe even would date one is that wouldn't be fraternizing. Buthe would definitely not choose a lther soldier for forever.

Simon already lost many people and I'm sure he's suffering from survivors guilt in an extend. He doesn't need to face the risk of losing someone he loves every day and every night. It would keep him away at night, and he already doesn't sleep enough.

Every deployment would be a torture and full of questions. What if either one of them doesn't make it? He doesn',t need that mental load during missions where he needs to be precise and collected, not thinking about worst case scenarios.

I think he'd constantly find himself wondering: "What if this is the last time I see them?" And eventually that fear would become exhausting for him on a bone-deep level.

Who He Definitely Wouldn't Work With

Someone reckless. Simon doesn't need that in his life. Adventurous is okay but reckless isn't.

Someone who creates problems, ignores danger and makes stupid, irresponsible decisions. Just nl, his blood pressure is high enough. Simon spends enough time keeping people alove and safe at work, don't make.him do that at home too.

Someone who plays games is a hard no. No manipulation, mind games, jealousy games., hot-and-cold behavior or testing him. He doesn't need any of that at home where he should feel safe. His trust is difficult to earn and once broken it rarely recovers completely.

My Personal Ghost Headcanon

The person Simon ends up loving is probably a surprisingly ordinary one. Not boring, just real. A teacher, nurse, librarian, mechanic, veterinarian or a baker.

Someone with an entirely different life from his and reminds him every day that the world contains things other than war. I think normal is what Simon secretly craves. The privilege of a normal life.

The Ultimate Green Flag For Ghost

Now for individual recs:

Ao3:

Dont be so vein-- its just a little poke by deadlystar

Hush by kivino

Good Girl by Lenna Danvers

The 4 times you fell asleep on Ghost and the one time fell asleep on you by Parkamy13

the little things by halfmothhalfman

below zero by python333

bedbound by python333

Tumblr

Gentlemen!141 by mariecup

Faultlines by mirrormauve

Retired!Simon Riley x Mermaid Reader by kira-writes-stuff

Ghost w chronic pain x demihuman! reader (mdni but fluff) by sonofamushroom

Wholesome!Ghost who is the biggest closet supporter of animal rights by unseaworthy

Ghost helping you hide from someone (drabble) by callsignsnakebite

Ghost jumpscaring his teammates by ohclaire

tf141 x male reader on vacation by corpse-groom

hybrid!reader sent to help another team

simon x touch starved! reader by raiwritesfanfics

Until it wasnt enough and he found you wandering around base past midnight, welding mask still on, and a heavy weight on your shoulders. He steered you back to your room, made sure you changed into some comfortable clothes, and ordered you to go to bed… just to find you sleepy by the next morning.

You got your work done to be fair, worked extra hard despite your constant yawns to get each and every new prototype out. But.. it didn't help that your sleep problems were caused by that too. He couldnt even count anymore how many times he found you up working on some new idea, muttering to yourself up until you fall asleep head flat on your desk. Not to mention the energy drinks you keep managing to hide between your tools. He had to draw his line when you walked into the rec room looking for your gloves.. hands covered in plasters and bandages.

“I know you’re tired because you’ve never slipped up this much.” He says, voice a little too firm for your liking but when you look at Kyle for help he quickly looks away, suddenly interested in the remote control.

“I accidentally brushed against a tool, it’s just some light burns I promise.” You try to argue, tucking your injured hands into the gloves you thankfully spotted on the back of the couch.

“You think i believe that?” He scoffs, crossing his arms firmly over his chest, as he narrows his eyes at you. “If you don't sleep properly in the next few days, i’m locking the door to your lab.”

You blink, and then smile a little, sure he must be joking. “I mean, i’ll try but you know i need to work.”

He doesnt even twitch, and you turn your head again, making eye contact with Soap whose also been no help until now when he grimaces. He’s not joking then.

“Alright- okay! I promise i’ll get some good sleep.”

You get banned not even after two days when he finds you sluggishly trying to weld at four am. A lock is soon secured on the doors to your lab and even your poor snack stash is left inside with it. Even when you plead with him, he just shrugs his shoulders. “Just fix your schedule and you can go back in.”

It didn't help that you were still a little terrified of him, and the team in general. You were close to Gaz, that much was obvious, but you seemed lost in your head a lot of the time compared to the soldiers. So you hadn't complained more than that, and he heard from Kyle that you had been making a conscious effort to try and get proper sleep, even visiting the infirmary. Still, it’d been a week since and if anything you look even more tired than before.

“What are you doing?” Kyle stops you on your third lap around base, the sun set and soon the clock will strike closer to midnight. John had sent him after you since you seemed far more comfortable around him than the rest of them. You swallow nervously, looking around but no one is here to save you now.

“I- i’m trying! I swear i am, i just..” You fiddle with the edge of your gloves, shoulders jumping at a closed door a corridor down. “I cant do it.. please I dont want to be kicked me from the team.” The look on your face is of pure misery and you step closer to let your head hang low,

“Kick you from the team? Who told you that?”

“Um.. Lieutenant Ghost did.”

Kyle mentally makes a note to tell off Ghost for scaring you of all people, even if he suppose it probably was a good way to make you take your health seriously. Until.. it got to the point you stressed too much over it

“No one’s getting kicked from the team for a lack of sleep.” He sighs before he pats your back, forcing you to start walking alongside him all the way towards the rec room. You’ve been avoiding it recently, mainly because you probably think John will catch you not sleeping. He just wants to see you taking care of yourself, that's all. “Stay here until you feel tired, okay? I’ll help you tomorrow.”

—

Contrary to his reassurance, the anxiety only eats at you more. There was nothing to fill your hands in the lab nor anything to distract you from the possibility of disappointing him. You were still beating yourself up about it when he stops by your room, knocking on the door.

Both Price and Kyle stand on the other side, to your horror and you immediately freeze up.

“You got some time to spare? We need to go pick up some things, could use the extra hands.” Of course you nod immediately, letting them lead you to his car. It’s cold out but he’s got heated seats which make you let out a soft sigh, staring out the window at how the moon shines above the city.

You’re in the backseat on your own whilst Kyle sits upfront, chatting with the Captain about one thing or the other.

“Oh— Captain, they said the drive might be longer because of a diversion.”

“How long?”

“An hour or two. Then actually packing it in will take a while aswell.”

For some reason that stuck out to you more than usual, even though it really shouldn't. It was kind of boring sitting at the back with nothing to do, even the music was slow and quiet, perfect for the late evening. There wasn't much else to do but stare out that window, and knowing you’d be here for at leadt an hour more. Well…

“I think they’re out.” John nudges Kyle, who is getting tired himself, to look back and check. Surely enough, you had fallen asleep easily against the door, cheek pressing into the seatbelt and body snuggled up.

John takes a turn or two more before finally stopping outside base again, having gone in a circle that only lasted half an hour really.

“Like a light.” Kyle chuckles, sliding out his seat and carefully towards your door. “Easy, i’ve got ya.” He hums, scooping you into his arms as you melt into them, too tired to care.

They had noticed it a month or so ago, when they took you out to analyse some weapons found and you fell asleep in the traffic on the wayback. Not to mention the countless other times over the years, silently dozing off without many knowing.

They take you back to your room, the soft scent of essential oils filling the air that Soap and Ghost had done while you were gone. You settle into the clean pillows, aswell as the hot water bottle tucked beneath the duvets too.

“Not even nine pm.” Johnny mutters, taking his phone out to get a picture else you try and argue against it tomorrow.

“Needs it, poor thing been working themself to the bone.” John hums, pulling the duvet up to your neck, the lamp still dim on your side table. There seemed to be a lot of things keeping you up, namely the dark and the nightmares which breed in it. This way, you’d be safe from all of that.

Your eyes twitch, and he holds his breath, but you just roll over, pulling the hot water bottle flush against your chest.

He ushers the two sergeants out, clicking the door shut behind him. Hopefully you’d get a much better sleep tonight, and dreams that would leave you smiling tomorrow at the mess. That is his favourite look on you after all.

————-/

idk i think this is a nothing burger but i was fighting to stay awake in the car the other day

#ilovenapping