Ghost Oneshots | Splinter X Simon 'Ghost' Riley

Holidays Are Rough For Simon

Alcohol was poured as Christmas music softly played in the background. The lights were set with an orange glow, as lamps had been lit in corners of the large room.

Everyone was seated with drinks at the bar, as the 141 had gone out to one of the pubs in celebration. 

Price looked almost passed out at his stool, a whiskey glass in one hand, the amber liquid slightly tilted due to his loose grip. 

Laughter and chatter filled the space as everyone relaxed after a year of harsh and grueling missions. 

Laswell, who was seated at the end of the bar, tapped her glass, alerting everyone to quiet down, which in turn, roused Price from his slumber. 

You sat next to Ghost and Soap, seated more towards the middle of the bar. Everyone looked expectantly at Laswell, who had taken some time off of work in order to be there. 

"It's good to see you all outside of missions. Here's to this good year, and hopefully another good one to follow," she smiled before taking a sip of her cup. Others followed, with Soap throwing back his beer with a triumphant laugh. 

Ghost simply looked at his glass, raising it, before setting it down. He was never one to eat (or drink, in this case) in public. 

You sipped at your drink, watching as the conversations started up again. 

Soap had eagerly convinced the team to do something in order to celebrate the Holiday season, and so, there you all were. 

You smiled looking at the team's beaming faces, happy that you had decided to come along. 

You elbowed Soap, and spoke in a lowered tone, "This is the best idea you've had."

He gave you a wink, "I always have good ideas!"

You chuckled, "That could be debated. Remember last Christmas?"

Soap's eyebrows raised before he leaned in close to you, "Best not speak of that, Gaz's still mad."

You laughed once more, "Oh please, I don't blame him! You burnt several batches of cookies!"

"Aye! 'N I'm still banned from the kitchen!"

Gaz piped up from across the bar, raising his cup, clearly having overheard the conversation, "It's staying that way!"

Soap rolled his eyes, "It wasn't that bad," he chided back. 

The look on Gaz's face was something to behold, as he replied, "You're not getting a single treat out of me anymore."

Soap's eyes widened as he sat back on his stool. He mumbled, "Unbelievable," he shook his head. 

You patted his back. "Might want to smooth things over. I know his peanut butter cookies are your favorite."

Soap nodded, and mumbled with a serious look on his face, "I'd kill for those."

Soap stood from his stool, taking his drink with him, and slid in next to Gaz, who ignored his existence until Soap prodded him enough. 

You chuckled before sliding your gaze over to Ghost, who was decked in his civilian attire. The partial skull balaclava, coupled with a black hoodie and his signature eye paint. 

Noticing you staring, he turned to you, and made eye contact. 

"Something on your mind, Splinter?", His voice was low and soft.

"You alright?"

Ghost broke eye contact and looked at his drink, he grunted in response. 

You watched as his leg bounced on his stool as the two of you sat in comfortable silence, surrounded by banter from the other members. 

Price's heartily booming laugh could be heard, as he joked about with Laswell, who occasionally would chuckle. 

You sipped your drink, simply sitting next to Ghost. 

"Thank you for coming with us, Ghost." 

He looked at you and nodded, his features neutral. 

"Should we get some fresh air?" 

"Couldn't hurt," he responded, adjusting his hood as he left his drink and stuck his hands in the pocket of his hoodie. He stood, waiting as you stepped down from the stool. 

He led the way, turning the door handle, as it chimed and then pushed it open. He held it for you as you padded through the doorway. 

Once outside, you stuck your hands in your pockets as your breath wafted through the air in puffs. Ghost walked to the side of the building, still at the front, but out of the way of the glow of the windows, showcasing the warm scene inside. You followed, stopping a few feet from him. 

Snow lazily drifted down, as few cars passed, daring to brave the weather on Christmas Eve. 

Ghost tucked his mask up to his nose as he flicked his lighter, lighting a cigarette, before sticking it in his mouth. 

The smoke drifted away in the opposite direction of you two, and you simply watched the scenery. 

Pine trees were decorated with white specks of snow, as the sky was dark. The streets were lit by tall street lamps, bearing Christmas decor. Shops were mostly closed, as a few grocery stores stayed open, leaving time for last minute ingredients or emergency shopping. 

It was peaceful, and for the most part quiet, with the exception of a few cars passing now and again. That, and the occasional chatter that could be heard within the building. 

You stood, waiting for Ghost to finish, as he leaned against the rough wall of the pub behind the two of you. 

"Splinter?"

His voice broke the comfortable silence the two of you had sat in for some time now. 

"Yes?"

He flicked his cigarette down, crunching it out with his military boot, still facing forward towards the shops in the distance.

"Merry Christmas."

You smiled, a warmth rising to your cheeks against the cold of the night. 

Ghost faced you, adjusting his hood as he leaned down towards you, his balaclava still pushed up to his nose, his throat and lower face exposed. 

He makes eye contact with you as he leans in further, planting a kiss on your cheek. 

You chuckle as he pulls away, but doesn't step back, simply looking down at your face, a sparkle in his eye. 

"Merry Christmas, Simon."