[Dead and Unburied]
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Simon 'Ghost' Riley x F!Reader
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Warnings: MDNI, Zombie!Ghost, Gore, Violence, Reader is a bit messed up, Angst, Hurt mostly without Comfort
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Summary: Ghost is dead but you just can't let go.
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You feel disgusting... Sick in the head some might say.
Your hands shake as you stare down at the rusted chains, wrapped around the man's ankles and wrists... Could you even call him a man anymore?
×🩷×
"Damn it. Get the fuck out of here- now."
A large chunk taken out of his arm, the stench of rotten flesh and the burn of fresh blood infects your senses, it's enough to choke you... You're no stranger to infected, you know how this all goes. You've watched it over and over...
You can't lose him too. He's all that's left in this shattered world. What's the point if you're completely alone?
"Live for me. Survive this."
It's a command and a plea all at once, pleading with you to go on in hopes of a better future... Maybe you're weak though. Too weak.
×🩷×
You know this is all wrong- nothing about this is logical. You can't help but imagine what the others would say if they could see you now.
"Ya gotta let him go."
"This ain't right. That isn't him anymore, lass."
"It's okay, Strawberry... Just breathe."
Price, Soap and Gaz... Their voices haunt you as well as the screams of so many others, you don't even know if they are out there somewhere or not.
Suddenly the sound of low gurgling disrupts your train of though, glancing over to see Ghost shifting against his restraints, clouded dead eyes meeting yours... Those beautiful eyes you used to get lost in now make a shiver run down your spine.
But it's still technically him, isn't it? It's still him. You have to believe that.
"Simon... It's okay. It's me."
His broken jaw shifts slightly and you'd like to imagine he'd be speaking right now if he was capable... However, something shocks you down to your core. There's a hint of recognition in him- like he has some form of humanity left, a shred of awareness of his past. Awareness of you.
You could just be imagining it though... After all, you were crazy enough to capture him to keep even though he's a zombie now. Just to chase off the loneliness.
×🩷×
Seeing him like that- walking the streets in aimless search of flesh... It broke you in a way you didn't know possible. Yet a part of you just needed him. Needed him back. Even if he can't speak to you any longer or can't recognize you as friend not food- you needed him.
You managed to sneak up on the giant of a man with a crowbar in hand, smacking him with it earning a low growling groan, part of you feels guilty as you restrain him... Especially guilty as it sounds as though he still experiences pain, his jaw dislodged from the harsh blow.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry... I'm so sorry."
×🩷×
Despite your better judgement you move a bit closer to him, he doesn't attempt to attack you which you take as a good sign, raising your hand to cautiously touch his cheek- feeling the cold flesh beneath your fingertips.
"You're still in there, aren't you...? Si... Please tell me you're still in there somehow."
You receive a grunt in reply- though much more hoarse and growly, it's still recognizable as Simon. An actual reply to you...
"Oh my god... You're still-"
Before you can continue cup his face lovingly in your hands, a maggot wiggles out and lands on your knuckle, you immediately scramble away and frantically shake the bits of rotten flesh and the hideous little critter off.
"Ew!!! Ew, ew, ew..."
Simon leans forward to watch what you're doing, he seems a bit apologetic for what just happened... This definitely can't be easy for him, having some form of consciousness trapped inside this zombified shell, rotting away while still walking... Does he still feel pain from it? Is he numb to the sensation of his flesh wasting away? Is he in mental and physical distress right now and can't tell you?
Part of you feels guilty now. Perhaps you should have killed him for his sake- you're being selfish.
"M'sorry, Si... I'm so sorry... I just... I need you."
×🩷×
"Shoot them in the head."
He knew he had to look out for you no matter what, he refused to let anything touch you. You're the one pure thing that found its way into his heart and life, saw past the Ghost and saw Simon. You'd listen to his puns for way too long at a time, never seeming to get sick of him.
The thought of anything happening to you made him sick inside, his guts twisting into multiple knots. He's known loss his whole life- even before the apocalypse... Now it's him and you against the world it appears.
"Stay behind me."
Putting himself in harm's way for you came so easily, however regret seeps into his bones when he's unable to shield you from his own demise, seeing that look in your eyes when you acknowledge he got bit. The pain in his arm couldn't possibly compare to the heartbreaking terror reflected in your gaze.
His final moments spent knowing he can't protect you anymore. There's nothing that can be done- only hoping you'll listen and carry on.
×🩷×
The sound of other voices scare you senseless, scrambling up off the safe house floor and grabbing your crowbar, all out of ammo at this point so your gun is useless. Simon growling lowly and wriggling against his restraints but you just shush him.
"Sh... Shhh... I've got this. You don't have to protect me, it's okay."
Your reassurance makes him settle slightly but he's still rightfully worried... Until you recognize one of the voices.
"Someone's definitely in here..."
His voice is low and smooth... Gaz. You're not alone. They're alive. They came back for you- they...
"Bloody hell!!!"
The door was pushed open to reveal a stunned Soap at the sight of a restrained zombie Ghost.
"I- I can explain..."
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