The group stood in stunned silence, the tension thick in the air as they watched Ghost storm off. Ava's expression wavered between confusion and panic, clearly unsure of what to do next. You turned to her, your frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Why the hell would you do that, huh?" you demanded, your voice sharp with anger. Ava's eyes widened in alarm as she stammered out a response. "I-I didn't know it was that big of a deal." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her nervousness.
You held back your frustration, trying to maintain composure despite the bubbling anger within you. "It's not about whether you knew or not. It's about respecting boundaries," you replied firmly. Ava dashed upstairs, her footsteps echoing in the tense silence that lingered in the room. You scoffed, frustration evident in your expression. "That's her own fault," Soap remarked, his tone dismissive as he shrugged. "It's not like she knew," Keegan added, following after Ava to check on her. Viper, looking uncertain, remained standing there awkwardly. "I have no idea what's going on," he admitted, his confusion palpable.
Soap placed a hand on Viper's shoulder and nodded. "That's for the best," he remarked, trying to ease the tension. Viper, still bewildered by the situation, looked to you for answers. "Is he always like that?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern. You shook your head, a mixture of emotions swirling within you. "No, not always," you responded, your voice reflecting the complexity of your feelings toward Ghost's outburst.
"Maybe someone should go check on him," Viper suggested, breaking the silence with a touch of concern. You nodded in agreement, realizing the importance of ensuring Ghost was alright. "You got that, Serpent," Soap chimed in, offering you a supportive smile. "Alright, I'll be back. Soap, let me know what Ale says," you replied, taking on the responsibility to check on Ghost before swiftly making your way down the hallway.
He went in the direction of his office, so you knew he'd most likely be in there. Approaching his door, you hesitated briefly before giving a soft knock. "Ghost?" you called out gently. After a moment, you heard some shuffling from inside, indicating his presence. It took a minute before he unlocked the door and stood in the doorway. He didn't say a word but simply moved to let you in.
You entered cautiously, the tension palpable in the air. Ghost closed the door behind you, his expression unreadable. The room felt stifling, filled with an unspoken heaviness that hung between you. Unsure of what to say, you glanced around the familiar space, your eyes landing on the cluttered desk and the array of monitors displaying various surveillance feeds. After a moment of silence, you decided to break the ice. "Are you... okay?" you asked tentatively, your voice barely above a whisper. Ghost remained silent for a moment longer before finally speaking.
"I'm fine," he replied curtly, his tone distant. You could tell there was more to it than that, but you didn't push further. "I'm sorry about Ava," you offered, hoping to ease some of the tension. "She didn't mean any harm." Ghost let out a sigh, running a hand over his face in frustration. "It's not just about that," he admitted, his voice betraying a hint of vulnerability. You approached him slowly, placing a hand on his arm in a gesture of comfort. "What's on your mind?" you asked softly, meeting his gaze with concern. For a moment, Ghost seemed to hesitate, as if debating whether to open up. Then, with a sigh, he began to speak, his words hesitant at first but gradually gaining momentum as he shared his thoughts and worries with you.
Ghost took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the floor as he began to speak. "It's... complicated," he started, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and resignation. "I don't like feeling exposed. Vulnerable." You nodded, understanding the sentiment. "I get that," you replied softly, encouraging him to continue. He sighed before meeting your gaze. "I've spent so long hiding behind this mask, both literally and figuratively," he admitted. "It's easier that way. Safer."
You listened attentively, sensing the weight of his words. You reached out, resting a hand on his shoulder in a gesture of support. "I'm sorry," you murmured, your heart aching for him. Ghost offered a small, rueful smile. "It's not your fault," he said, his tone softer now. For a moment, there was silence between you, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. But despite the heaviness of the moment, there was also a sense of closeness, a shared understanding that bound you together.
Feeling a surge of courage, you slowly extended your hand toward Ghost's face, the air thick with tension. For a moment, he tensed, as if ready to pull away, but then he hesitated, allowing your touch. Your fingers brushed against the rough texture of his mask, tracing the contours of his features with a delicate touch. As you explored the lines of his face, your heart quickened with anticipation. Despite the barrier of the mask between you, you could sense the warmth of his presence, the raw vulnerability hidden beneath his stoic exterior.
Gently, you cupped his cheek, feeling the coolness of the mask beneath your fingertips. You traced the curve of his jawline, the stubble poking through the balaclava rough against your skin, before moving upward to brush against his lips. His breath hitched, a soft exhale escaping through the mask, sending a shiver down your spine. In that fleeting moment, with your hand pressed against his mask and your gaze locked with his, you felt a connection deeper than words could express. It was a silent understanding, a shared intimacy that transcended the physical barrier between you. For a heartbeat, time seemed to stand still as you lingered in that tender embrace, the world outside fading into insignificance.
"Y/N..." he said softly, his voice laced with a mixture of hesitation and longing. You held your breath, waiting for him to continue, your heart pounding with anticipation. "I... I just need you to know," he began, his words faltering slightly as he searched for the right ones. "I'm not sure how to navigate this... whatever it is between us." Your heart skipped a beat at his admission, the air in the room suddenly charged with tension. "I feel it too," you confessed, your voice barely above a whisper. "But, we don't have to have all the answers right now."
He looked at you, his eyes softening with relief. "Thank you, Y/N," he said sincerely, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "For being patient with me." You returned his smile, a weight lifting off your shoulders as you realized you were both on the same page. The ringing of Ghost's phone shattered the fragile moment between you, and he glanced down at the caller ID, which displayed "Price" in bold letters.
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