Doth thy demons dwelleth in the darkness too, my belov'd Reaper?
🚨WARNINGS: Mention of mental health illness mention, profanity, scars, fluff, anxiety, medical inaccuracies, blood, gore and just getting the POV of our friendly neighbourhood masked menace.
I do not consent to any AI or anyone taking my work!
Plot: Doctor Ruhari Hari Kaur (OC is South Asian ☺️) joins the 141 again, but this time as their doctor. After the betrayal of Shepherd and Graves, Task Force 141 begins their hunt on his whereabouts and locating Makarov.
Song inspo: Summer High - AP Dhillon, Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Club, Sinner - The Last Dinner Party, The Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Legend soundtrack.
All rights reserved to the rightful owners of Call of Duty Modern Warfare.
spelling and some grammar mistakes as I am bad at times... :/
(FYI: bold sentences... that are like this... are supposed to describe redacted data/info to the plot... ;] .. )
Please do let me know how you all are finding this fanfic! :D
PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, PART 10, PART 11, PART 12, PART 13, PART 14, PART 15 I, PART 15 II and PART 16
The tiny specs of dust floated amongst the surrounding atmosphere, highlighted in the beams of sunlight that penetrated your room. A few settled down on the frame still clutched in your hand, the gold frame sparkled from the light as you tilted it, staring deeper into the image of Simon. That mole on his jugular kept drawing you in, beneath the skin, the vein you thought for the past 13 years had been burnt to ash was actually flowing steadily. The deep crimson blood slithers from his brain back to his heart after all.
Could it honestly be that Ghost is Simon Riley... or Simon is Ghost... One in the same. You thought to yourself, you get up lay down on your bed, the framed photo at the tip of your round nose.
Time stood still for what felt like hours.
It would make total sense, he knew your old name. You recall the day you first met, when he said that name. The inscription of the former shell you shed. That person who you haven't been able to come to terms with. Unable to reclaim the innocence of not knowing the cruelty of mankind. The lust for war over land, oil, weapons or whatever it is people fight for nowadays...Unwilling to let go that guard you have down.
That mole drew you in again, displayed on the only available photo you have of him.
Did everyone else know...? Surely. Perhaps not... A supposed dead man displayed by a skull face was filled with irony. You couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Simon's smug face startling new and old people with this faux relic of his former self.
Checking your watch, you realise you spent perhaps too long wondering about the past. No time like the present to find out the answers to the questions that flushed through your synapses.
Gathering your selected files and papers, placing the gold frame on top, you put the lid back on the box and slide it back to its former spot. Placing the chosen contents in a spare tote bag, swinging it over your shoulder.
Glancing around your room you look at the knick knacks laying in their places. Collecting dust and time. The gemstones you once fiddled with when looking out the window laid dormant.
Heading back down, you meet Clarissa back in her car. Once back in the passenger seat, you feel a lightness overcome you.
If Ghost really is Simon Riley, then it means he had his own reasons to hide. After what brief knowledge you of have of his supposed death, a part of you understood. Yet there was a slight annoyance growing inside of you.
Clarissa noticed you pursing your lips and frowning as you lulled your head side to side with the smooth motion of the car. After contemplating whether or not to tell you about her encounter with Gaz, the cute sleauthe, to fill the quietness.
But she was reminded of your sudden snore coming from your mouth that you were a surgeon who dealt with an extremely serious injury, and then be ridiculed by the moronic Dr Jones.
As Clarissa drove up to the gate of base she called in a favour from a new friend, Kyle Garrick, to help with getting permission to drive up to the rear of building 2 so you could get back with ease to your quarters.
Clarissa was guided back to the emergency back entrance of Building 2, you woke suddenly with the familiar sound of a large tank thundering by. You rubbed the sleep from your eyes and blinked several times, trying to focus them to know your exact location.
"Go get some sleep" Clarissa said as she gazed at you as your rubbed your temple.
"Been a long day" You scoff slightly and then yawn again.
"I'm gonna talk to your Captain about Jones and get something done" Clarissa said
You had heard what she said and nodded, unable to move your jaw to let the words escape.
Exiting the car you to wave Clarissa goodbye and then make your way back up to your room. As your reach your dear you look down the corridor and see the rough outline of Ghost's door...
Taking a deep breath you open your door, the tote bag carrying the gold frame and your documents swung as you strolled into your room. Closing the door behind you, placing the tote bag on one of the hooks and then stripping off your scrubs and crawl back into bed. Gathering the strewn duvet cover from when your were first paged nearly 2 hours ago.
As you cocooned yourself your mind went back to Ghost - or Simon Riley. How 3 hours ago he was shrouded in mystery. But now... You have an idea of who he really could be...
I hope it is you Simon you plead quietly within the emptiness of your room. Your aching bones and flesh beg into sink into the mattress, sleep came quickly this evening as the heaviness of your strung out body shut down.
Simon took another deep inhale, his tongue became even more drier as it touched the roof of his dry mouth. Trying to moisten his mouth with saliva, he swallowed the little that came out down. He looked up and realised he had fallen asleep in the shower. The white light of the bathroom pierced his still tired eyes. Simon adjusted his body and sat up straighter, his back bracing the cold white tiles.
With his left hand he touched the now dry bandage and sighed with relief. As he got up, the wound pulsated with pain across his abdomen. Finally, he was feeling the full physical effects of the mission. Simon examined his pale naked body in the mid sized mirror.
Bruises began to appear, especially on his stomach and right shoulder. He could make out the thick red imprint of his gun strap. Brushing his fingers across his shoulder, he felt grains of sand roll against his skin. Simon resorted into having to wash himself with a damp towel and small splashes of water. All in order to avoid the bandage and the wound you stitched together from getting wet.
After feeling far more fresher, Simon wore his comfiest black joggers and socks that had a little German shepherds embroidered on the cuff. Slowly he put on a black vest and then a grey zip up hoodie, but leaving it unzipped. He laid down on his bed and took in the calm silence.
The ringing in his ears came back suddenly; tinnitus. An ever so common issue for soldiers, especially given close contact with flash grenades. Simon tried to forget the images of a bloodied Soap out of his mind, but they, along with the many demons, echoed within his mind.
Suddenly, there was a sharp rapid knock on the door, Simon knew all too well that it was Price. Gently getting up he reached for a clean skull balaclava and put it on and sliding on his trainers.
Ghost opened the door and saw Price, also showered and refreshed, not with his signature boonie.
"Alrigh' Price?" he mumbled, as he leaned against his doorframe.
"Not bad, Soap is awake" Price said, giving a slight grin, which grew as he noticed Ghost's eyes widen.
"How is he?" Ghost says grabbing his keys and moving out of his room, zipping his hoodie as Price moved out the way.
"Alive and well. You can see him, Gaz is there right now" Price said as he watched Ghost lock his door and then turned to face him.
"Have a good rest?" Price asked
"Somewhat" Ghost gruffed "Can Johnny walk?" He asked
Price chuckled and gave Ghost a light pat on his shoulder
"More than that, he's dishin' out gossip to anyone who would listen" Price huffed
"Really?" Ghost said confused. Hours ago Soap was near the edge of death, and now he is gossipping.
"You have to see it for yourself" Price said
Both Price and Ghost made their way to the ICU where Soap was recovering. And recovering well Ghost assumed as he heard the sergeants laugh fill his body with ease; finally safe and alive.
Ghost approached the edge of the bed, Soap and Gaz finished their conversation before turning their attention to him. Gaz gave him a brief nod.
"Lt! You finally came!" Soap exclaimed his arms reached out, both which had ECG cables coming out him. Ghost saw the biggest grin he had ever seen coming from Soap's bruised and grazed face.
"Can yer believe that I am alive?!" Soap said, spitting out a laugh, lightly clapping his hands together "For sure thought I was dead" Soap laughed again finally resting his arms from excessive movement on his stomach.
Ghost narrowed his eyes at Soap and crossed his arms. He was acting like he had just had a small tumble and not got shot in the back.
"How's the legs?" Ghost mumbled moving closer over to Soap.
Soap gripped the blue hospital blanket, pulling it up slightly and revealing his wiggling toes. Ghost felt another wave of relief ripple through him.
"Alright Soap, put your stinkers away" Gaz said poking at Soap's feet with his charts that he was looking through earlier.
"Pfft, wanna gimme a sponge bath Gaz?" Soap grinned at Gaz who looked back him disgustingly at the thought.
"Come off it Johnny" Ghost said shaking his head at Soap.
"I was only jokin' Lt!" Soap chuckled
Ghost took in Soap's face and the shared moment of relief and serenity with Price and Gaz. The team was safe, wounded and shocked in places but back in familiar territory.
Gaz sat back down and continued to chat about who would give Soap a sponge bath, asking Price how much or what would it take... Price huffed and said something along the lines of not even if my right leg was blown off.
The conversations between the three faded as Ghost grabbed a chair and sat down, observing his comrades.
"Hey Lt, you hear about Doc?" Soap said, turning his attention to him
"Eh?" Ghost grunted looking up at Johnny with narrowed eyes
"Well, I was laying here, recovering, just woke up from the coma" He starts
'Wasn't a coma mate" Gaz said, Soap ignored him
"I hear a conversation slowly drift into my ears as I lay here recoverin'" Soap continued
"Ah he's telling the long version" Gaz interrupted and quickly went silent as Soap shot him an evil look.
"That Jones fella apparently paged Doc 999 - ICU.. Bless her soul, she must've thought I was dyin' again" Soap said sympathetically towards Ghost, whose eyes were still narrowed at him.
"Runs down here, and Doc notices my intubattery is out"
"Intubation tube" Gaz corrected stifling a laugh with his hand.
"Spit out the short version Johnny, I ain't got all day listenin' to fairy tales" He said sighing
"Pfft thought yer'd be nicer to be me since I am recoverin'" Soap spitted, point to his back.
"Basically, Jones paged Hari on the basis of doing an unauthorised surgery and said to show him her qualifications" Gaz summarised
"Oi, I was tellin' a story here!" Soap shouted, and flung a piece of apple at Gaz from his tray.
"Cut it out Soap" Price said and Soap promptly had a guilty look on his face.
"Wait, what?" Ghost said, straightening up in the chair
"Jones think she committed medical fraud" Price said
"But she saved 'im" Ghost said, throwing his hand out to Johnny
"Aye she did, oh forgot to mention the part Jones said she went psychotic at Foxham"
"Soap.." Price said sternly
"I didn't say anthin'" Soap exclaimed
"You say a lot shit Johnny" Ghost said "What you mean psychotic?" He added
"She apparently had a mental-" Soap started
"Alright, that's enough" Price stepped in "It's all been sorted" he added
"Is she leavin'?" Ghost asked, worry began to tremble through him.
What if you left before he could tell you who he was?
"No, she's staying." Price said
"Good" Ghost said aloud, then realised he said that aloud.
"Takin' a likin' to her ey Lt?" Soap said, giving him a mischievous grin.
Ghost looked away from Soap, he could feel his cheeks and neck getting hot.
"Not the only one" Gaz said, leaning back in his chair looking at Ghost and Soap with a grin. Both looked at eachother.
"I said she was pretty, I'm not in love with her" Soap shouted back at Gaz
As Gaz continued to tease Soap, Ghost got up and put the chair back
"Yeah" Ghost said moving closer to Price "Might see Doc, see if she's alrigh'?" He added
"She's knocked out at the moment, give her a till tomorrow" Price said and Ghost nodded.
"You goin-" Price started
"Give me 5 days." Ghost said looking straight at Price, who nodded and smiled, he gave him a light pat on the shoulder and let him go.
During the walk back to his room, Ghost made a promise to himself, to you.. 5 days, Ghost checked his watched, it was the 8th of October, 5 days would make it October 13th... He soon realised what day that was; the day The Captain died.
Finally after a good sleep, you were feeling slightly better. Yet the inner itch of anxiety trickled down your nerves anytime you heard the words Jones said to you...
"Heard you went psychotic whilst on shift."
Everytime that sentenced pierced your grey matter, your body shuddered, an attempt to rid the thought.
The hot droplets of water scattered across your naked body, taking your bamboo loofah, scrubbing your apple soap, creating a nice lather. You watch the bubbles accumulate as you scrub clean the sweat, the gunk trapped in crevices and bringing new life to the skin.
The fresh apple scent uplifted you, in combination with the hot shower, you felt like you could melt away...
But the oncoming thoughts of the revelation made the previous day flooded your thoughts.
Why would he take so damn long? You thought as you scrubbed over your knee and then down your calf.
But in your mind, you reasoned with yourself.. If you had been betrayed and then supposedly burnt alive you would keep that a secret. Anonymity was literally his name. Ghost
There... But not there really.
Getting out the shower, the cold morning breeze drifted into the bathroom, hitting your fresh skin.
After getting ready you made your way to the mess hall. As you locked the door, you gazed down the corridor to Ghost's room. Checking your watch it was 9:36 am, he would most likely be doing paperwork or something...
Heading down to the mess hall, it was there in the near empty hall you saw Ghost sitting alone on a lunch bench, a cup in front of him. As you both locked eyes, your mouth instantly curved into the biggest grin as you stared at the man hiding beneath the mask.
Your mischievous big grin made Ghost wary of you suddenly as he saw you walk in the mess hall, grabbing breakfast.
Something is up he thought to himself
Watching as you grabbed some breakfast, he kept his eyes on you until you sat right in front of him.
"Morning Lieutenant" You said, trying to not say Simon... Another grin appears.
"Mornin' Doc" He said, puzzled still by your big grin.
He watched as you slowly tilted your head to the side, strands your long brown hair falling too, as if you were analysing his inner workings. Trying to figure him out
"Is it your turn now doin' the starin'?" Ghost huffed, folding his arms
"Hmm perhaps" You replied
Ghost grumbled and looked down at his near empty tea in his mug.
"How's your injury?" You added as he remained silent, now it was his turn to stare at you.
"Good" You said, sucking in some air. You could feel some tension rising between you.
"Heard about Jones" He said, breaking the silence
You look at him, shocked at the bluntness.
"How did you-" You started
"Soap?" You questioned "He's awake?!" You exclaimed
"Yeah, he's all good, you did a great job" He said, his eyes softened as he met your curious brown eyes.
"Good..." You say, taking a sip of coffee "What did he say about Jones?"
"Something happened at your old hospital" Ghost said, studying your face for any reaction.
"Yes..." You whispered, dreading the conversation that will follow.
Ghost took a deep breathe in.
"Tomorrow, we need to resume trainin'. Assume you've been doin' some since we've been away" He said changing the subject.
Shocked that he wasn't going to question you, you smiled briefly at him.
"Yeah, definitely, and yes, been training with the martial arts team on base too" You replied
"We shall see how well you can spar tomorrow" Ghost said.
He picked up his mug and said his goodbyes. He knew not to pressure you into giving him information he desperately wanted to know.
Within your own darkness, you seem to be hidin' your own demons too Ghost thought as he walked out.
It had only been a 3 days since Ghost, aka Simon Riley, had his deep wound stitched up, and yet he was persistent on picking back up the training, especially hand to hand combat training.
It was no surprise, the Simon you remember was proficient in unarmed combat. Now added with his Ghost persona, daunting others in his stride.
Each time you greeted each other in front of the training room he booked out, you'd ask him how he was.
That was his usual response. You didn't want to annoy him any further so you bit your tongue.
Finally, on the fourth day of training, you pinched a nerve with Ghost when you kept repeatedly asking if he was okay and if his wound be able to handle a beating or two.
"So far, I've overthrown you... 7 out of 8 times past three days" He snapped at you, blue eyes narrowed at you.
"Pretty sure it's 6" You replied bluntly as you recall the time you were jumping repeatedly to try and pull him over.
"7" Ghost retorted crossing his arms and stepping closer to you
"You are twice the mass of any normal combatant" You say rolling your eyes edging over to the mat.
"Well if you could knock me over, then it'd be easier knocking normal people" Ghost said following you onto the mat, and got into his ready position as you did the same.
He watched as your face changed, the fire suddenly lit behind the eyes as you narrowed your eyebrows. Waiting for your move, because he knew you would lunge first with a kick. And you did, he used his right arm to swat it away as if the oncoming kick was a fly. He took in satisfaction from your frustration at his easy block.
"Too predictable" Ghost muttered as he circled you slowly.
Taking a deep inhale you let out a deep sigh
"I don't have the upper body strength to take you down" You hurled back at him
"Just try it" He calmly said
Pulling your arms closer to your chest and face, jolting forward and giving a right punch. Ghost dodges.
Ghost decides to up the game and throws a punch, you duck and attempt to trip him with your legs again. He sighs and raises his leg in an attempt to kick you but you block with your right arm and side of the body, with your left arm you grab his thigh but Ghost quickly uses his upper arm to push you back - you stumble with the amount of force he put with such ease.
"Good attempt" He groaned as he stretched his neck and arms. where the muscles laid too defined under his scarred pale skin.
Meanwhile you were panting for air like anything. Walking off the mats you grab your flask and take a quick swig from it. The water replenishes the dryness of your mouth.
"Ready for another round?" Ghost asks, and you swear you heard a glimmer of laughter
Turning around placing the flask down in its own spot, wiping away droplets of water from the edge of your mouth, walking back up to the mats and face Ghost, getting back in your stance.
Lunging first again, you manage to hit Ghost and block one of his oncoming punches. Using his thigh as a stool, you jump up and twist round to his back and wrap your legs around his shoulders hooking your feet against his lower back, trying to use your core to tip him over, but you just ended spinning yourself to his front, feeling you slip, Ghost instinctively grabbed hold of your waist, keeping you from falling and snapping your neck.
"Ain't ya gonna listen to me and not use your legs?" He said gruffly
A small groan come out from your mouth.
His calloused fingers of his right hand grazed the brown skin beyond the edge of the joggers you wore. His grip around your hips tightened as he felt you relaxing your upper body, yet the grip with your legs over his shoulders remained.
He heard you panting slightly as you hung below him. Your tank top rose, unveiling more of the warm smooth brown skin. Like magnets, his eyes took in the vulnerability of your position as you hung casually.
You're gonna pounce he thought, planting himself and engaging his core, his wound although padded and nearly healed (Ghost thought) throbbed dully.
Yet you lay still. Ghost peered down at you again, his eyes laid on your breasts, between them he quickly looked at your chin and then the edge of your round nose. For a moment, he let himself glance at your breasts and then trailed up from your ribs to the protruding skin, a bronze glow as a beam of light bathed that region... Within his chest a ripple formed that gave him ease. His eyes wandered back up to the legs wrapped around his shoulders.
Taking your vulnerability to his advantage; Ghost grabs you right arm with his left and pulls you up and then over him. He heard you yell in disbelief as you were flung over him.
His right hand was no longer securely on your waist but now grasping your right inner thigh, making you lose grip over his shoulder.
Falling on your back you groaned with growing agitation as he threw you down.
"Was that necessary?" You groaned
"I ain't a damn tree" He snapped back, surveying you as you sat crossed legged down on the mat. The black tank top was perfectly fitted, showing your toned arms as you leant back. Ghost looked away and turned his back slightly
"Built like one" You muttered to yourself quietly and get back up up, rubbing your sore back and shoulder.
"Look, come here" Ghost said, rubbing his the skin underneath his mask, then motioned with his hand.
You came closer, and he took hold of your right arm gently.
"Form a fist" He said still holding your arm as you tightened the muscles lying beneath the skin.
"Good" Ghost said, and you looked up at into eyes blue eyes. Simon's blue eyes. As your eyes meet you feel a sharp zing bolt across you, quickly glancing back down to your fist, the feeling spread down to where he held your arm.
"Now, hit me with your upper arm-" He began and proceeded to move that part closer to your body "close like this" he added, and look down at you, meeting your eyes once again.
"'Kay" You sighed, engaging your core.
"Use your arms this time" Ghost repeated and gave a nod for you to go ahead.
You aim for Ghost's chest, he dodges, you attempt again to hit him with your left hand and you hit his chiseled torso.
"Good" he said "Block and defen' now" he added, and he lunged forward suddenly, delivering quick and sharp punches.
You block two, and then grab his right arm, and attempt to hurl him over, but due to his large size he remained where stood.
Thrusting your backside into him to try and get a bit of momentum, but he stood still.
Ghost felt slightly awkward as you kept getting close to his front, he felt your back, especially your bum, hitting his cock. He took a step back and turned his waist to the side, yet you followed his move in attempt to try and bring him down. With his left hand, he wrapped around your waist and lifted you up over his head.
"Not again!" You yelled as Ghost you mid air. He chuckled slightly as he brought you down but you swung your left leg around the back of his waist to try and swivel yourself out of his hold.
"Stop!" He yelled as he lost his balance and you let go of his waist with your leg, but still held onto his right arm. The sudden change in weight and momentum made Ghost fall right on top of you. Your face slammed into the mat, and lips making contact with the grit on the mat, saliva sputtered out as you groaned with annoyance and tiredness.
Ghost lifted himself off of you, he noticed your bare shoulders, as your tank top had a strap in the middle, exposing the tattoo he saw briefly one time on your left shoulder.
As you panted on the mat, Ghost stood on one knee over you and examined the different four flowers coming out of what looked like a skull. He gazed at the black monochromatic skull; an odd reflection of the skull he wore over his own.
He moved back and up, watching as your back muscles flexing as you pushed yourself up from the mat.
"Last round?" You say, wiping your hands together to get rid of the grit from the mats.
"Until you knock me over then it'll be the last roun'" He said, standing in the centre of the mat. Stretching his arms over his head and gazing back at you.
You meet his blue eyes again. Part of you so badly wanted to run up, jump and take his mask off and be huzzah! But that would be a total invasion of personal space and you figured he'd just toss you back to the ground as soon as you made any move.
Best bet is to keep on the defensive mode... Wait for him to strike
After about a minute of circling one another, Ghost struck first, punches that struck you on the side, yet you began to dodge them, delivering punches in return.
"Finally" Ghost said aloud, as he looked at your delivery of punches, few which he blocked and few a he took. He looked deep into your brown eyes, full of focus and determination.
Throwing more punches, blocking and then attacking.
"Good" Ghost said again and he swung out his right leg, doing a high kick and you block it and try to toss him over. It didn't work. Instead you let go his leg, and he swiveled trying to kick you again, you blocked and then remembered a move... A sudden rush of adrenaline charged through your blood.
With his back turned, it was then with your right leg that as you quickly crouched, hooking it around Ghost's left leg causing him to stumble, allowing you the edge to push his back with your left hand.
As Ghost fell forward he felt your hand grip his right ankle flipping him over like a pancake onto his back. Before he could fight back, you lunged on top of him, pinning his left arm with your right leg and your right hand near his throat. Your left knee was placed just on his hip, just the right amount of pressure to prevent him from getting up.
It was one of his signature moves. The surprise attack he would often use from behind.
How could you.. But then he remembered... Simon...
You kept him pinned down in the same position, forcing your entire weight on the points you held him down by. Boring your eyes into his. You could see the remaining black painting creased as he squinted his eyes at you.
"Gonna get off me?" He growled, hoping that would intimidate you.
Yet you persisted. Keeping the same stern look you stared at him. Tightening the grip you had on his right arm.
Annoyance began to grow in Ghost. But then he figured if you knew, then this was the consequences of his own making.
Your fingers were splayed against his throat covered by his skull balaclava. There was a terrible temptation to how badly you wanted to slide your fingers underneath, revealing the mole on his skin that covered his jugular.
Smooth and circular or rough like potato. What shape is the mole?
As you thought of the mole, your grip began to tighten slightly on Ghost's throat.
Ghost felt his anxiety building inside as she tightened her grip on his throat.
How could I be so fuckin' stupid Ghost thought to himself, he pushed himself up but you were exerting all your strength into keeping him where he is.
"Do you know?" he croaked
"I know a lot of things, to which are you referring to?" You retorted
"Hmm" Ghost groaned, he shifted again under you, yet you remained.
"The day we first met.." You started, thinking carefully of the way you were wording your thoughts. Ghost eyes widened, becoming more attentive.
"You said my old name, how did you know?" You asked, eyes narrowing at Ghost, hoping to catch him
"Looked through a file" Ghost lied quickly. Unable to bring himself to tell the truth.
You smirked, eyes narrowing further.
"Nah, pretty sure the Captain redacted my name"
Ghost drew all of his strength, he managed to get his right leg up and with his knee shifted his weight so that you stumbled off of him as he turned over.
"What you gettin' at?" He said getting up off the mat, lending out his right hand to help you up. You take it, and Ghost helps pull you up.
You know.. Ghost thought to himself as he watched you study his face
"I think I know who you are.." You whispered
Ghost felt a cold tinge begin within him, he crossed his arms over his chest, partly to stop his shaking hands being in view.
"Who am I?" He asked, stepping a bit closer to you
At the moment, Ghost's entire body went cold. What felt like an electric shock bolted in his body.
"What makes you think that?" He asked
"You have a mole on your neck, and Simon also had a mole" You stated, wanting to be done with the mind games and for him to take his mask off.
"Had?" Simon asked "Must mean he's dead"
"Supposedly dead" You said slyly.
"How'd you know this Simon had a mole?" Ghost asked, fully relishing in the moment of teasing you. He could sense the gears working overtime in your brain.
"I have a photo" You snapped "And I'll show it to you" You said, walking off the mats.
You were tired of the running around the questions. Answers were needed. As you looked behind you, Ghost began to follow your footsteps as you lead the way.
Ghost followed you into your room and closed the door behind you.
You pulled out the gold from that had the photo of the five soldiers, staring at it one last time before handing it over to Ghost.
Looking down at the image in the frame, Ghost recognised the Captain, you and a younger version of himself.
There he was. Simon Riley, before the betrayal, before the chaos and when he had a family. When he had a life outside the military.
Ghost looked up at you, your face still had the same stern look, he could tell that you wished it was the same Simon under this mask, the same Simon that was in the framed photo.
Standing in front of Ghost, he was leant back against the wall. The foreboding skull face whose eyes still protruded glared at you. Every now and then those blue eyes blink, replenishing the moisture of his lense covered in black paint ridden skin.
"I thought you were bacon"
"Bacon?" Ghost said in surprise
You tilt your head up, and watch as Ghost - no Simon - cock his head to the side, taking in an inhale as he shifts his weight about.
"Fried to a crisp" You muttered
"That ain't bacon love" He retaliated
You mouth curved when he said love... A cold pleasant feeling rippled through you.
"Is it you?" You ask, voice-breaking slightly, you could feel your eyes beginning ot sting as tears formed.
Ghost sighed, he placed the golden frame upright onto the set of drawers near him. He reached with his slightly trembling fingers, grasping the edge of his mask and took it off.
Your heart skipped a bit, mouth opening wide as the person finally revealed was alive.
"Simon" You murmured, stepping closer to him. It wasn't the same Simon in the photo. His blonde hair was not so blonde, dirtier blond-brown, and was messy and long on the sides. His jaw was covered in stubble, and as you stepped closer your could see scars scattered over his face; one over his nose that ran near his left eye, another across his cheek. His eyes looked tired, but the black paint didn't help.
Taking in every detail, you scan his face. Your mouth curved as you savoured this precious moment. Unable to stop the tears and the tightness in your chest as you got close to him. Simon.
Simon watched as the tears that fell from your eyes finally trickled down your cheek, dropping down to the floor that held them both in this moment of silence. He reached out for your hand and pulled you closer to him.
He took in your sorrow, guilt riddled him like an aching virus. He brought his hands up, his fingers tracing the bronze skin that glowed in the candlelight, trailing his forefinger and thumb against your skin, taking in the softness. Simon sighed and bowed his head slightly, he looked up and saw more tears coming from your eyes, wiping them away with his thumb. The rough palms grasped the nape of your neck, lulling your head back as he weaved his fingers through your brown hair. Simon gazed back, and closed his eyes placing his forehead against yours, his cold sharp nose tip pressing into your round nose.
"Ru" He whispered finally, his eyes still closed, yet he felt your wet lashes flicker against his.
"Simon" You croaked, and sighed deeply into him, Simon felt you relax and pulled in close to him, wrapping his warm strong arms tighter around you. Taking in the comfort as you melted into him.
Each inhale brought in a mix of cinnamon, musk, cigarettes and sweat. A perfect elixir that soothed your melancholy.
"Didn't mean to take so long" Simon gruffed
"I knew something was up" You said, sniffling as you pulled away, wiping the tears away with your wrist. Looking up at Simon, who still held you close to him.
"I just needed time" Simon said, his forehead touched yours has he took another inhale, a weight finally lifted off him.
Reaching around his waist, you wrap your arms tight.
"You took your time, then I took the shot" You said chuckling slightly into him. His grip on you tightened and you could feel him laugh a little too.
As Simon held you in his embrace, thankful that you were not mad, he finally felt his inner demons quell within the darkness that had put a hold on him for far too long.
