Simon "Ghost" Riley x Reader

Forty

It wasn't often that nervousness managed to overtake you.
You had your experience with secret tasks. Sneaking was nothing new and there were already situations that demanded not to be discovered.

But this mission was different.

For some reason you couldn't help pressing your back against the wall and waiting with bated breath until Alejandro finally gained access to the back door.

Gaz and Soap were already disappearing into the distance.

"He'll calm down again.", Ghost suddenly assured him.

The way he spoke sounded gentle, almost caring. It sounded like he was talking about his own brother and not just a comrade from the army.

Secretly, it bothered you to know that Johnny had a better relationship with some of his gunmen than with you.

But maybe that was because he hadn't had an unspeakable childhood with them.

War was just a game to him.

Sometimes he even acted as if he could get himself shot and still return home safe and sound.

That was exactly what you found so exhausting about him.

He always wanted to look after you, make sure you were all right while not worrying about himself one bit.

When he had been new in the army, fresh out of training, he had even joked once that he would deliberately get himself killed on mission just so you could get the money for the compensation.

Just remembering his laugh back then made you grit your teeth.

"He's a bloody idiot.", you grumbled, and signalled to Alejandro to finally clear the way. "Do it. We'll cover you."

Alejandro got into position.

You could tell from his expression that he had reached the edge of his patience.

His fingertips itched to finally get at the woman for whom he had nothing but bad words.

It was the first time you had seen him in such an upset state. He was almost like a trapped wolf.

When you had met him, your impression of him had been a calm one. He was a veteran of the battlefield and from his rank you would have put him on a par with Captain Price without thinking.

But the man of war that he usually was was not to be found at that moment.

Instead, only a shadow of his actual person remained.

It would have been imprudent to let him go first.

Otherwise, he had the keys and would not let the opportunity that presented itself pass him by so easily.

Your eyes moved to Ghost.

He returned the gesture, followed by a slight nod.

He thought the exact same thing. And if there was somebody who didn't want this mission to fail, it was Ghost. His pride wouldn't have allowed that.

If you remember correctly from his files, he had never failed a single mission. Not ever.

Impressive, but also frightening, considering that he had done unspeakable things to accomplish that goal.

A soft click filled the silence as Alejandro turned the key in the lock.

The door opened, just wide enough for you to peek in from the side.

The corridor was empty.

Unusual.

Confused, you frowned and gave Ghost a pat on the shoulder so that he could take a look.

Approvingly, he growled.

So your instincts weren't deceiving you. There was something fishy about it.

"We'll go first.", you said and put a hand on Simon's shoulder for support. "I'm right behind you. Alejandro, follow me."

A discontented shadow crossed his face.

But he did not complain. This mission was too important to jeopardise with petty feelings.

Simon grabbed his shoulder to send a signal over the radio.

"Bravo 7 to Bravo 6, we're going in.", he declared.

"Bravo 6 understood.", Captain Price replied from a distance. "We got our eyes on you. Once you're inside, we'll lose visual."

Annoyed, you pulled a face. That meant you went into the vermin's lair without any advantage at all.

"Are there blueprints of the property?", you asked.

"Negative. All destroyed. You're on your own. We'll hold outside. If we get a signal, we go in hot."

Your gaze returned to Ghost once more.

And again your eyes met.

Sharp brown met watchful (E/C).

This time he took a little more time to look at you.

He already seemed to be weighing the risks, but was in no way willing to give up the success of the mission because of a few missing pieces of paper.

Your ego didn't want to turn tail and run either, but it seemed very risky to just walk into a house owned by the most powerful narcos in all of México.

Besides, something definitely seemed wrong.

But you also hated the thought of feeding into your brothers bad mood.

"Gaz, Soap, are you copying?", you finally asked.

For a moment silence answered.

Your ears picked up the chirping of crickets and some birds that chirped songs of the night.

It was warm, but your entire body was covered in goosebumps.

We're listening, Gaz confirmed.

"Where is your position?"

"About three clicks from the house."

Your eyes wandered around a corner.

There were several ways to get in. Whether windows, doors or shafts, one couldn't be choosy.

The front door was not an option, that would have been just plain stupid.

But somehow there was always a way to get in unnoticed.

"Secure the lower end of the property with mines and then come back to the house.", you ordered. "We need reinforcements."

A mocking huff filled your ears.

It wasn't Gaz's voice.

He didn't have it in him to be a little bitch on a mission.

Swallowing another wave of anger, you squeezed your eyes shut and let out a deep, audibly strained breath.

"Don't say a word.", you advised your brother in a warning tone.

"I didn't say anythin'.", Soap replied.

You could physically feel how he was about to shrug his shoulders.

Why in the devils name did this grown ass man have the habit to act like a snobby teenager?

"Johnny.", Ghost suddenly said. "We need you sharp. Swallow it and get back to us. We'll wait."

A low groan could be heard from Soap.

"Roger that, Lt."