Simon "Ghost" Riley x Reader

Ten

"You look good in jeans.", you noted with a glance from the corner of your eyes as you and Ghost stopped in line to get on church property.

A low sound could be heard from him, a slight roll of his eyes was visible as well, but he didn't comment on it nor did he give you the satisfaction of a simple reply.

People waited in line to enter the first church that served as an entrance to the main graveyard and the larger cathedral in the back.

Two men stood guard as the gates, performed simple body checks. Members of the cartel, obviously.

Las Almas tattoos covered their arms and exposed parts of their chests. One of them even had one on his face.

They were armed with handguns and knives and made it very clear that this was the case by presenting the weapons for everyone to be seen.

It was both a warning and an attempt to scare the ones who came to cause trouble.

Trouble like you and the Lieutenant.

The couple in front of you got send through the checkpoint.

You remained motionless and waited for one of the two guards to call you to come closer.

"Next.", one of them called out in Spanish while he gestured with his gun.

You walked up to him, while giving Ghost a simple push so that he wouldn't stand still and appear suspicious.

Without a word, you stretched out your arms and let the cartel member search you.

As he reached the hem of your jeans, he reached around to feet if you hid something in your back.

And indeed, his hand wrapped around the handle of your pistol that you carried tucked away in your pants.

With a grumpy expression, he pulled it out to have a look at it.

The other man stopped patting down Ghost and joined his partner instead.

"What is this?", the man with your handgun in hand asked.

You glanced at it briefly.

Then you smiled in a sorry manner.

"Fuck, so sorry. Totally forgot I had that on me.", you replied in Spanish and hit your forehead. "Habits."

The two men exchanged a glance.

They looked anything but thrilled.

In the back of your mind you could sense how Ghost moved slightly to the side, out of the attention range of the two men.

You knew why he acted this way.

He was about to take them out.

With an unnoticed gesture behind your back, you silently told him to settle down and let you handle it.

The cartel member who held your gun raised it in front of your eyes and turned it in a way that the shaft pointed directly at your face.

You did flinch as he did so. You just stared.

One wrong move and he would shoot you, either because he wanted to or because you didn't act like a real member of the cartel.

The beating of your own heart slowed down while the hairs in the back of your neck stood up straight.

Your senses tingled as danger crawled closer.

"No guns allowed.", the man said in a warning manner and finally lowered the gun.

You smiled and gifted him an understanding nod of the head.

"So sorry.", you took a step back and made it clear with your body language that you were no threat. "Won't happen again."

The two hummed.

"Better not.", said the one with the tattoo on his face and stepped aside to allow you entrance.

Appreciating the gesture, you nodded your head and passed him, into to throw a glance over your shoulder as you heard how they stepped back to block the way for Ghost.

With unsure expressions on their faces, they eyed him from top to bottom once again.

In any other situation it would have been a funny sight to look at.

Despite his civilian appearance, the Lieutenant was a good amount taller than the two Mexican men. The casual clothes be wore made him appear less like an actual Ghost but also didn't hide his broad shoulder and the muscular arms like the combat gear did.

He was the literal definition of a giant, both in height and size.

Maybe it was the fact that he hadn't said anything yet, but the two cartel men seemed to not be fond of letting him pass.

You frowned.

"What about my buddy?", you asked.

One of them turned to look at you.

"What's with the mask?", he asked with confusion written all over his face.

You couldn't help but chuckle.

"I told him it looks ridiculous, but he insisted. Day of the dead and all.", you shrugged. "He's stubborn."

An understanding sound escaped both the men as they nodded their heads and stepped aside to let him finally pass.

"Rarito.", one of them snarled as Ghost passed them with a dark look in his eyes.

You gifted the men a nod of the head as a goodbye and followed the Lieutenant through the church.

Dim candlelight illuminated colourful glass windows with pictures of the Virgin Mary and other Christian figures such as Jesus and angels.

It smelled of flowers and herbal oils.

The back door that you two had to pass to get onto the graveyard was decorated with garlands of orange, yellow and red flowers.

They almost made it feel like you crossed the stairways to heaven.

A few people had already gathered to light candles on graves or make offerings to their passed loved ones.

Thankfully, it wasn't as crowded as you had expected it to be.

That made it a lot easier to move unnoticed.

With a quick glance over your shoulder you checked if you were out of hearing range before pulling Ghost down to kneel in front of a grave that was located in a dark, lowly corner of the area.

"Piece of cake, wasn't it?", you asked with a whisper and snatched some candles to blend in with the others who performed rituals.

A hum could be heard from him.