Aversion - Simon ''Ghost'' Riley x Reader

Chapter 5

I take a deep breath, a bit stammering as I can't find the right words. ''I..uh..i..''

Soap places a hand on my shoulder, hushing me. ''Don't worry..'' he says slowly.
'' I know things happen during our duty. If you ever wanna talk, let me know okay?''

I nod as I bite my lip to hold back my tears. Soap smiles warmly.
''Come on,'' he says as he steps aside. ''Let's not keep your favorite Lieutenant waiting..'' he smirks.

I take a deep breath as I follow him. Down the hallways, towards what I can only imagine would've been the gymnasium. Training dummies, fighting ranges, weights... I look around trying to take it all in. This really is another level compared to my old base, where we would simply spar against each other.

Soap notices my gaze. He places his hands on his hips.
''It's a barry place, lass'' he says smiling.
I nod, his thick Scottish accent doesn't bother me. I get the gist of it.
My gaze falls on Ghost. He is standing on the other side of the gym as he is punching a boxing bag. His punches are rhythmic, the next punch even harder than the previous one.

I am watching in awe. He is like a machine. Sweat dripping down his face, getting absorbed by his mask.

''Does he ever take that off?'' I ask, not looking away from Ghost.

Soap follows my gaze. ''The mask? Never.''

I raise an eyebrow in surprise, I look at Soap to read his face. Thinking he is joking.

''You're kidding right?''

Soap shakes his head. ''Naw. No one has even seen his face. His file doesn't even have a picture like the rest of us''

I scoff. ''What, is he shy?'' I say mockingly.

Soap stays serious as he watches Ghost along with me. ''Dont judge so soon lass, this man has been through a lot.'' The way he says it makes me shut up. I feel the respect, the appreciation he has for his Lieutenant. I decide to drop it, out of respect for Soap. Not for him.

How in the hell can a nice man like Soap, speak so dearly of an asshole like Ghost?

Ghost turns around and sees me and Soap staring. He takes the gloves off and walks over to us.

''Nice of you to show up'' Ghost says his gaze focused on me. ''Hope you're up for it'' His tone is harsh and a bit condescending.

I sigh as I feel the tension between us rising. This is such a different vibe than when I was talking with Soap.

Then Ghost notices my necklace. It's a bit more visible now that I am only wearing workout clothes instead of full gear.

He points at it. ''Take that off. It's a gym, not a goddamn fashion show'' he growls.

My heart jumps. Take it off? I guess I could've expected it. But it still sends a jolt up my spine. I'd rather have it ripped off by a hostile as he stands over my dead body than having to take it off myself. I feel a cold sweat breaking out.

I haven't taken it off in two years. The only thing that gives me comfort in every situation, keeping me close to Four. Like hell, I will take it off for a simple training.

''No.'' My voice echoes through the gym. I am nailed to the floor, my gaze trained on Ghosts.

He raises an eyebrow as he steps a bit closer. The tension becomes even more thick as I feel his anger rising.

''Do not make me repeat myself, Recruit'' He hisses at me.

I clench the locket in my hand as I take a step back. Does he think I am playing a power game? That I am being insubordinate just because?

I look over at Soap, my eyes pleading for him to step in. But he doesn't know the heavyweight the locket has on me. He doesn't know about Four, or about his passing.

So he is looking at me confused as to why I am so adamant about keeping the necklace on.

''Recruit.''

Ghost bellows and I feel his hand jolt forward as he grabs the chain as I still hold onto the locket.

''Take it off, or I will snap it off.''

His tone is so harsh and authoritative that the whole gym looks at us. The soldiers start rumoring around us, clearly intrigued by the scene unfolding before them.

Soap decides to step in.

''Ghost, maybe we should-..''

''No Johnny, she is playing a game and I am not falling for it'' Ghost growls as he keeps his eyes trained on mine.

My breath hitches in my throat as I feel my heart loudly pounding in my chest.

Soap reads my panic. His gaze focused on me as he stands beside me, reading my body language. During our mission in Amsterdam, I reacted the exact same way when the henchmen of the target chased us down the small streets of the big city. It was like a damn maze. Every corner I turned I saw a different angry man staring back at me and it made me jump every time. Of course, I was a bit younger and inexperienced. Right now I would just pull out my gun or slam them on the ground. But not back then.

'Keep the heid!'

Soaps famous words to me as he protected me. Shooting down every hostile as he kept me close to himself. It means something like don't get upset, or stay calm. It stuck with me. And I feel like he looks at me the same now, as back then.

The only difference, is I can't ''Keep the heid'' now. This locket means everything to me. All I have left of him. And I will be damned if I let this stubborn piece of shit takes it away from me.