Redamancy ✷ Simon Riley

Chap 25)

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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞
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"Love." Simon's brown eyes scanned her impassive face, taking in every flawless detail of her complexion. The butterfly-stitched laceration on her cheek was not imperfect to him. Those lucid jade irises he loved looking at him were concealed by her eyelids and eyelashes. Her expression was tranquil and untroubled by skulking nightmares that attempted to fill her mind. She was dreaming but not of anything terrifying. "Poppy?"

When they had swapped places so she could relax in the back and the lieutenant could drive, Poppy at some point during the drive back had dozed off and fell asleep.

Simon hadn't noticed as he was focused entirely on driving and not getting into a car accident. Nearing Alejandro's base, he had taken a glance into the rearview mirror to see her eyes closed and her head vaguely drooped to the side.

Once they arrived at the sizable base, Ghost brought the truck to a stop and got out with Graves. The Shadow commander said he needed to discuss some things with his men about the hardware they had brought along before leaving the duo.

This is where Simon presently stood beside Poppy's sleeping figure. The car door was wide open, letting the cool crisp air brush her skin. He had stepped closer with silent footsteps to gently wake up the sergeant.

Lifting his gloved hand, he placed his palm on her right kneecap. His thumb moved back and forth delicately, letting the pad of his thumb ease her awake while his left hand cupped the side of her neck fondly.

Sensing a familiar benevolent presence beside her, Dargie fluttered her eyes open somnolently. She visibly weaved her eyebrows together as she blinked a couple of times. Her eyelashes brushed the skin under her eyes as she uncrossed her arms from her chest.

Bewilderment danced across her countenance like a graceful ballerina as she sat up properly in her seat and looked around her. Her gaze came to land on Simon who was already staring at her softly.

"You dozed off, love." Simon retracted his hand from her neck and instead took Poppy's hand that she'd offered to him. He paused to watch their fingers thread together perfectly before locking eyes with her once again. "Do you want coffee?"

"Uh..." she was pensive momentarily before she gave an eager nod. Coffee was a good idea right about now. It had been a long and fatiguing day of climbing mountains, swimming in river water and fighting. "Yeah. I need one desperately."

"Alright." Simon tightened his hold on her hand and helped her climb out. Stepping to the side, he allowed her to squeeze past him with a cheeky smirk on her lips at their intimate proximity. "Come on, we're heading to the briefing room."