#shadow reader

Graves would never admit it but he does have a favorite shadow, of course he loves every single one of his soldiers with all his heart but he loves one just a little bit more 🤏 you. a newer higher, you've been around for 6 months so he's gotten familiar enough, tho Graves was a little surprised to learn you were selectively mute, and skepticale about sending someone who wont talk into the field with his team. that opinion was squished quickly when he really saw you out there, tough thing with a good head on your shoulders, even if that head won't make words come outta your mouth. you were a very reserved shadow and he barely ever sees you if its not totally work related, you wont even come to the barbecues :(! so he needs to do what he's done with every other awkward shadow of his, he needs to drag you out of your quiet little shell. he spends time with you, it starts small, finding out after missions and giving you a quick check over before backing off, he'd sit next to you on the chopper ride back to base and the one he did the most was running errands with you. everyone has their job to keep up the barracks and one of them is shopping duty, its not totally mandatory but everyone does their part, plus nobody gonna complain about having snacks and a warm clean bed to sleep in at night

The first time Graves actually heard your voice was at a grocery store, he was pushing the cart along, you a little ways behind him. he was browsing the deli when he stopped in his tracks, his boots making a little "eek" across the floor when he did, he hears you behind him in the smallest voice say "mmm...pepper jack" of course he kept calm, on the surface a neutral facade if not a ghost of a smirk on his lips as he turned around, tho on the inside he is anything but calm, his quiet off putting little shadow with such a soft voice? it couldn't be. after months of silence, hand signals and blank stares he heard your voice, a huge win in his book.

he watches you continue to stare longingly at the blocks of cheese, well that's what you wanted to think you were looking at, he could see you side eyeing him, checking for a reaction of some kind "you side somethin' rook" he says casually, not accusing but just stating a fact. you finally actually look at him directly, nodding your head slightly. fucking adorable was the only thing he could think, he felt an over whelming urge to pick you up and just squeeze you until you graced him with more of that voice. Graves isn't stupid tho, you'd report him if he did that and that would be issues, he'll keep the hugs for himself when he's alone at night. "well...did you want the cheese? if it looks good enough for you to talk then sounds to me like we gotta get you full of it" you simply roll your eyes at the teasing and turn your full attention back to the blocks of dairy. he'll let it slide, he's too busy feeling like a proud dad to reprimand you. such a big step, one thing he's sure of is that every single one of his soldiers will feel like they can truly be themselves around him, that they can trust him and look up to him for guidance, sure it was just a small mutters, not even aimed towards him but it's his new favorite sound, his favorite mutters.