Red Rooms I Simon "Ghost" Riley x Reader

A rare sight

<<<

"That’s a champ!”, Ghost exclaimed just as he was catching the stumbling boy who was about to trip.

Your son has just taken his first steps.

You were in bed cuddling Marla, smiling wide at the picture that was Simon Riley who had spent all morning practising with the toddler until he suddenly managed to take a few shy & very clumsy steps on his own. Marla had already done so a few weeks ago which left you crying for a total of twenty minutes. Now Archy is gonna add twenty more to that.

The muscular, tall Brit was in his boxers and longsleeve only, kneeling on the fuzzy carpet floor in front of your bed as he hugged Archy and laughed.

This man laughed wholeheartedly.

A very rare and oh so pleasant sound to you. A low rumble that carried some lightness to it. Pure joy took over the lieutenant's body and it was music in your ears. His back was facing you and twitching with every laugh, even more so as Archy started to join in with his high-pitched giggle and drooling all over his father’s shoulder.

You felt tears dwell up.

This is your little family.

“You’re doing so well, Archy…” you sent their way, carefully stroking along Marla’s back who was about to fall asleep.

Ghost turned around to face you, giving you a good look at his glassy eyes and red cheeks. A sight that was probably even more uncommon than hearing him laugh. He took long steps towards the bed before lying down and resting Archy on top of his broad chest. Ever since the twins were born, that was their promised spot. He would often fall asleep with either one of them sleeping on top and close to his heart. They seemed to like it and so did he. Very much so.

“Not long and you’ll be a little rascal runnin’ around the flat, I can tell…,” Simon’s defined nose sniffed his son’s blonde hair before placing a loving peck just in the middle.

“..., look just like me when I was a little chap, Arch…Check your blonde hair,...Christ, down to the lashes...” you watched Simon’s own blonde ones flutter as he observed Archy’s cherubic face carefully and with a smile.

“…, got the Riley nose too. Mine sure has seen better days, but you’re as Riley as they get, little one...Brand new.”

Ghost’s usual stern, cold gaze was replaced by a warm, curious one. He couldn't be stopped cooing at his son, murring a thousand compliments his way. His brows were for once not furrowed and he looked absolutely in love.

“…, perfection is what you are, Archy. Don’t let anyone ever tell you anything different, ya hear?...Now that you’re learning to walk ‘yer  gonna take over the whole world with ease, I know that much...,” The Brit nuzzled his face into the boys shoulder which got squeal out of him as Simon started to tickle.

He looked as proud as can be, and you couldn’t stop the tears from running down your face.

Archy was giggling non-stop and trying so hard to reach Ghost's face with his tiny paws. Once one of his hands managed to reach out, Ghost would place a kiss on his palm and get even more giggles out of him.

A whole giggle-parade right next to you.

“Simon,”

The boys were both pulled out of their bubble, Ghost tilting his head to look at you with soft, dark eyes.

Has he ever looked this...Relaxed?

“I love you.” you smiled with your hands still stroking along Marlas back.

“…Most perfect woman. Look at our angels, look at you…” were his words before leaning in and kissing you gently, melting you in an instant. The softness of his lips paired with his stubble sending shivers down your spine, the kind you never want to miss.

“…, made me the happiest man alive.”

>>>

Your heavy eyes ripped open as you heard a noise coming from the door.

Middle of the night and you couldn’t see a thing, which left your remaining senses alert and sharp.

Your heart started pounding.

Another noise.

Did you lock the door properly? Was the security system on?

The thoughts were racing through your sleepy mind, making it very hard to catch a clear one. As you got up quietly, you could hear someone struggling to open the door.

With shaky legs you stepped onto the cold concrete floor, tip-toeing towards the corridor where you knew Simon hid a knife and pepper-spray. You had talked this through before; what to do in case of someone breaking in when he's not home. And though he tried to teach you, you had told him that you’re not sure about being able to stab someone even if shit goes down. So he had gotten you some pepper-spray. It felt more managable and…Less brutal.

You got it from behind the dresser next to the entrance and waited,  fighting hard against the growing panic inside of you. Simon had taught you some self-defense, you had just hoped that you’ll never need to actually use it.

As the door opened you pointed the can towards the door, about to press down just as you heard a low “Fuckin’ hell,…!”

Simon.

He stood there dressed in dark clothes with the usual mask and dufflebag in his hand. His hair has grown long and messy. The circles around his eyes more dark than ever before.
He looked rough.

You dropped everything and ran towards him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders in a matter of seconds.

“Love, don’t-“ he huffed in pain as you were already clinging onto him, your heart hammering like a thousand hummingbirds.

“Fuck, careful…” he hissed quietly in order to not wake the kids. You let go to look him up and down. It has been way longer than the promised maximum of 2 months. You haven’t heard of him at all in the last few weeks, giving enough space for all possible horror scenarios to envision themselves in your head.

“I was so fucking worried, Simon! The kids, I…I thought you’re dead-” you whimpered before he carefully limped inside and dropped his bag to let his hand reach your cheek and kiss you, something both of you did not expect to happen. The whole world just stopped.

Not only did you feel his lips shivering as they touched yours, you also registered warm tears rolling down your skin; though it wasn’t you who was crying this time.

Once your lips parted, your hand found his damp cheek and you let your thumb stroke along his defined cheekbones. He had lost weight. Not only that, his whole figure looked rather…Frail?

“Simon?”

You heard a sharp sob leave his lips before his face burrowed into the crook of your neck.

♡♡♡

🏃🏻‍♀️