A Little Death - König / Ghost x Reader

Welcome Home

I love memories. I always have. But do you wanna know the funny thing about memories? It is whether good or bad they are, they always come to your mind. and especially when you least expect them to, or when you don't even want them to. It's like having a little devil on your shoulder deciding when to ruin your day. Memories are memories though. Just vague thoughts, let's say. But when memories are being re-lived once again, that is where it really gets tough. 

Two and a half years later, I find myself joining Task Force 141 again, and what once was home to me. Only this time, my mission was a bit different: nothing related to guns and rifles, I had another mission to do. Business as General labels it. Let's say the base was dealing with a rather sticky situation and needed to protect national heritage. I was the girl for that mission, a former Lieutenant yes, but also a current archaeologist. And a very skilled one if I may say.

The ride to the military base was very long and exhausting. I missed Soap, I really did but I didn't wanna go back. I also missed Ghost. Ghost. I might have to narrate our history, but it is history for a reason, right? Thinking that I had to see him again was like taking a bullet into my chest, not that I didn't before, but the mental exhaustion was just right there. Our last mission didn't really end well. I was abandoned by someone that I once worshipped on the ground he walked on. The memory of Ghost never left me, and it never will, but throughout the whole ride, I couldn't bring my focus to what Soap was saying. All I thought of was Ghost, knowing damn well I shouldn't have.

"The break was good, aye?" Soap said snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Pretty much." I forced out a smile, "How is he?" I added, hoping for a heartwarming answer.

Soap avoided looking at me for a second, then said "You know Ghost. You can't really tell what he thinks of or anything, but the guilt hadn't left him."

"You know I am over it, right?" I snapped, "It just pisses me off how he completely cut me off his life, and I was the one to take the whole blame." I felt a hole in my chest getting bigger as I uttered each and every word "He left me there, John. He just left me there rotting like a corpse, and he's the one to cut me off first?" I didn't realize how desperate I sounded till Soap handed me a napkin to dry off my teary eyes. 

"If there is anyone that should cut him off it's me. And you know that."

He didn't say anything, just looked out of the window signaling that we were almost there, like half a mile away.

I felt embarrassed, swallowed the pain, and just decided to get it over with like I always do. I don't deal with problems. I just let them suck the soul out of me, and I don't realize it until it's too late and I am internally pleading for help. 

"Welcome home, Linda," Soap said, looking at me smiling, his eyes telling me that I shouldn't worry and that everything is going to be just fine. Hopefully. 

Get it together. Don't look for him. Or don't even try to look for him in anyone else. I thought to myself, but who was I fooling, really? 

The air was crisp and everything around me felt familiar. Home, sweet home. 

"Missed me?" I said, dropping my bags down on the floor, mentally prepared for the embraces that I terribly needed from everyone. Ghost wasn't with the crew, of course. But it didn't matter, right?

"Good, god, Price. I missed you." I inhaled, feeling his tight embrace around my back. I missed everyone and I wish I hadn't left, but I, unfortunately, had to. That's what I kept saying to them as they questioned every aspect of my life. The urge to ask where Ghost was couldn't be silenced. Fuck it, I thought.

"I don't see Ghost, anywhere. He's still here, right?" I said, in a shaky yet steady voice. I wasn't gonna allow myself to cry over him, again. At least, now when I am with the crew. They've probably thought miserably of me for quitting so soon and that was embarrassing enough, to begin with.

"Right out here." Price suggested as he asked me to follow him. 

And there he was, in the outdoor shooting range. I immediately closed my ears and backed out. Gunfire triggered many emotions in me; bad ones. So I just remained in my place as Price yelled out for Simon. He acted like I don't exist. He really did. He just stared at me, unmoving and emotionless... like the bastard he'd been when I was first assigned to work with him.

"Good to see you again, Linda." He said, walking away, as he took off his balaclava and got inside his tent. 

"Give it time," Price commented after a long pause of silence filled with more gunfire, "he'll eventually come around." 

I nodded and suddenly felt like my life would be drained by more hardships.