Quiet Mornings And Loud Nights(Ghost Simon Riley)

17-Nightmare

The warm safehouse was silent in the middle of the night. Rex had fallen asleep on the edge of the bed, where Aspen and Simon were sleeping. Aspen was in Simon's arms and slept soundly. He dreamt of his past, before he joined 141, before his new life. Surprisingly Simon was doing the same, yet his dreams were far from dreamy. They were memories, nightmares of the horrible past he suffered.

In Simon's mind a battle was raging, his comrades charging forward alongside him. There was only death around him. No peace, no safety, no kindness. He was paralyzed in his dream as he watched his closest friend charge ahead to save him. The man was shot many times as Simon could do nothing but watch in horror. He tried to move, to cry out, to scream for anyone, but his friend fell to the ground, a pool of blood surrounding him.

"No!!" Simon yelled aloud returning to reality. He was gasping for air as sweat covered his body. Rex was alert and frightened by the sudden outburst. Aspen was wide awake too, concern filling his eyes. Simon was sitting up with his head in his hands, his face hot with embarrassment.

"Simon? Is everything okay?" Aspen asked quietly, watching Simon struggle to breathe. Simon looked over at him and tried to calm down. Aspen's initial reaction was to sit up and lean his head on Simon's shoulder. Simon was shaking under Aspen's head and he couldn't stop himself. The memory flashed in his mind over and over, the gunshots, the sounds, the pain. He felt a small tear slip from his eye and he wiped it away, trying to cover it.

Aspen pulled him into his chest and held him tight. One arm was wrapped around Simon's back and the other on his chest. Aspen tried to comfort Simon as he continued to tremble and hold back his emotions. Neither of them said a word as minutes passed, nothing else was important except for staying in each others arms. Eventually Simon's breathing was regular but he was still in pain, he had failed his friend. Nothing would bring him back.

Aspen felt his eyes start to close and tried to stay awake. The clock to his left read 2:37 am. It was becoming harder to stay awake and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep. His grip on Simon never lessened as he slipped back into his dreams. On the other hand, Simon was unable to fall back asleep. His mind tormenting him to the point of being afraid to close his eyes.

Simon tried to focus on Aspen's warmth, his breathing, and his body. He tried to close his eyes, just for a moment to rest. It was met with the aftermath of his friends passing. The heart wrenching goodbye as he ran past the body, without a chance to stop and apologize. The screams around him tore him from the memory, his eyes opening once again. This was going to be a long night. Why couldn't he just forget, move on, and live his life in the present? Now he worried he could lose Aspen the same way, and he knew if that happened it would tear him apart.

The minutes turned to hours as Simon lay awake, his mind suffering from lack of sleep. He tried so many times but every time he closed his eyes, the battlefield was waiting for him. He realized that he hadn't visited the grave where his friend rested in years, and that the only thing he had left to remember his friend was one of the dogtags he kept. They were on his desk back at the base, where he left them. If the base was destroyed, he may never see them again. He would have nothing left of his friend, and that made him angry. How could he leave them knowing he may never be back in the base again, or that the base was at risk of going up in flames. There had to be something that could be done.

--6:30am--

Aspen's body naturally woke him up at 6:30 as per usual. Simon was still in his arms, yet his breathing wasn't regular, he was awake. Aspen pulled his hands away slowly, letting Simon know he was awake. Simon turned his head around, his eyes low and depressed. The sleeplessness in his face was visible and Aspen felt horrible for him. Motioning for Simon to sit with him Aspen watched him drag his exhausted body to sit up beside him.

"Simon. Did you sleep at all last night," Aspen whispered softly. "I'm worried about you a lot, you mean everything to me."

"No, I couldn't fall back asleep." Simon replied quietly, avoiding eye contact with Aspen.

"Oh... I'm sorry." Aspen responded, his voice cracking slightly as he said it.

Before Aspen could say anything else Simon moved away from him, attempting to get up. He made his way across the room and was about to step out of the bedroom when his knees weakened. He couldn't do anything as his body gave out from beneath him. Aspen rushed over to him as Simon fell apart, his crumpled body on the ground. He tried to hold back tears but they began to fall without warning. Aspen sat on the floor next to him and pulled him into a hug.

Simon was forced to show Aspen the true side of his pain, unable to hold back anything. His grief and guilt for the friend he couldn't save overwhelmed him as more tears welled up. Aspen wiped his tears away with his hand gently, watching Simon try to control himself.

"It's gonna be ok Simon, I promise. Everything will be ok." Aspen said quietly, holding Simon close. When Simon felt his strength slowly return, he tried to stand up again. His tired body was aching and begging for sleep as he stood up. Aspen stayed sitting down as Simon hobbled into the kitchen. Rex was also awake and followed Simon through the hallway. Alone with his thoughts, Aspen wondered what he did wrong.

"Why won't he tell me anything?" Aspen whispered almost inaudibly, hoping Simon wouldn't hear him. They seemed so close yet every time Aspen tried to get closer Simon would back away. And now, screaming at 3 in the morning yet no reasons? It all made Aspen's head hurt and he felt the pressure of failing Simon begin to seep into his bones.

In the other room Simon was making some coffee. He usually had tea but this day required extra caffeine to get him through. He felt bad for not telling Aspen what was on his mind, but on the other hand, he didn't know how. Rex waited by the front door for someone to let him outside, and Simon obliged silently. He opened the door and let Rex do his business in peace. Simon took a deep breath of fresh air and leaned against the outside of the house. The smell of rain still lingered in the damp forest. Once Rex went back inside Simon followed him in and noticed Aspen walking into the kitchen. He was dressed and in most of his gear, besides the boots.

"Going somewhere Aspen?" Simon asked looking him up and down.

"Price called in while you were outside with Rex, said he needed us to be alert for any stragglers coming in from the base. The reinforcements came and are doing their best to protect what they can. I'm going outside to watch for a bit." Aspen replied, his tone stale.

Simon watched him take his boots into the living room and slowly tie the laces. Aspen was acting strange, and Simon couldn't shake the guilt he felt. Crossing the room Simon stood in front of Aspen who was still putting his boots on. Aspen looked up at Simon who was towering above him. Before Aspen could say anything Simon pulled Aspen by the back of his neck towards him. Their lips crashed together and Simon let all of his worries disappear. They melted away as Aspen returned the kiss softly, trying to express his love for Simon.

Backing away, Simon let Aspen go and tried to walk back to the kitchen. Aspen stood up and ran up behind him, wrapping his arms around Simon's waist. Simon turned around quickly, surprised by Aspen's reaction. The two locked eyes and were lost in eachothers gaze. Simon's eyes were still tired but they had affection somewhere within. Aspen pulled on Simon's waist and trapped him in a hug. He didn't resist as they held eachother, trying to forget and let go of things they no longer wanted to remember.

"Simon?" Aspen asked, his voice muffled by Simon's shoulder.

"Yes pretty boy?" Simon replied quietly, his thick accent showing through.

"Are you ok?" Aspen responded softly, lacing his fingers in Simon's hair. It was a little bit scruffy but Aspen didn't mind that.

"I'll be ok as long as you stay with me, I can't lose you." Simon whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere I promise, but lets try our best to stay strong. Today will be tough fighting off anyone, but I will be right there next to you." Aspen responded, letting Simon go to break their embrace. Simon's eyes were a little bit brighter now and he nodded letting Aspen go.

The two parted ways as Aspen put his boots on and left to grab a few weapons. Simon made food for them and Rex, then went back to the bedroom to shower and get dressed. Once they reconvened, the day began. Defending the gear and files was their only goal, and of course to stay alive.

Thanks for reading!
Simon deserves the world
See you soon!🦦❤