A Collection of Short Stories | Simon Riley "Ghost" x Reader

a little unsteady: chapter 2

"Hey... it's okay. You're safe here with me, okay?" Ghost has that reassurance in his voice as he tries to comfort you. Ghost is genuinely a kind person; he's just rough around the edges to protect himself.

"I'm safe," you repeat, almost like a mantra, clinging to the words as if they were a lifeline. Another sob wells up, the weight of the events taking its toll. "I'm safe," you whisper once more, your voice barely audible.

Tentatively, your fingers brush against his arm, holding onto it gently, silently pleading for the comfort that only his embrace can provide. But even in that vulnerable moment, you are acutely aware of Ghost's boundaries, not wanting to push him beyond his limits. The need for solace wars with the fear of overstepping, but the hope that he'll understand is perceptible in the air.

Ghost sees that you're trying not to overstep his boundaries, but he never has any boundaries when you're in distress. He never wants to see you suffer or cry. He slowly wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you close to him, rubbing your back as he holds you securely in his embrace.

Ghost has every reason in the world to be cold and harsh, but in this moment, he is none of that; instead, he's holding you. You feel the warmth of his embrace as he keeps whispering in your ear. "It's okay, Y/N. It's okay."

As you feel the solidity of Ghost's frame against yours, your defenses crumble further. The warmth of his body and the rhythmic patting of his hand on your back bring a comfort you haven't felt in what seems like an eternity. You cling to him tightly, your tears soaking into his shirt. The world outside ceases to exist; there's just the two of you and the soothing cadence of his voice. Despite the pain and fear, in that moment, you truly feel safe.

Ghost continues comforting you, rubbing your back and still whispering comforting words in your ear. He is trying to give you the solace you need. He can still feel the tension in your body, the way you remain tense, signaling to him that this trauma is still fresh, that you're still reliving everything that monster did.

Ghost feels your tears wetting his shirt, yet he keeps whispering to you, holding your head against his chest with his arms wrapped around you. "It's alright, Y/N, it's alright."

As minutes stretch on, the weight of everything begins to lessen slightly. It isn't gone, and perhaps it never will be, but the raw, cutting edge of the pain is blunted by Ghost's embrace. You can hear the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath your ear, a grounding and constant rhythm amidst the chaos of your emotions. His words slowly penetrate the fog of distress, and while you still can't fully believe them, they offer solace.

Pulling back just slightly to meet his gaze, your eyes, red and puffy from crying, search his for any hint of insincerity. All you find is deep concern and protective intensity. "Thank you," you whisper, your voice hoarse from crying, taking a shaky breath as you try to steady yourself in his comforting presence. "Thank you, Ghost."

Ghost lets out a long sigh as he gently nods. "Thank you for trusting me, Y/N." He seems unfazed by the dampness of his shirt as you pull back to look at him, your eyes red and swollen. Ghost's deep-blue eyes meet yours as he smiles. He's grateful you trust him enough to show this vulnerable side.

"Do you think you'll be okay?" Ghost's voice is soft and gentle, his tone conveying genuine concern.

You meet Ghost's gaze, taking in the sincere concern in his eyes. "I think... I'll be okay, I will be," you whisper, taking a deep breath. As you start to pull away and the physical distance grows, vulnerability surges within you.

The idea of facing the night alone, with only your tumultuous thoughts as company, seems daunting. Hesitating briefly, your voice quivers when you finally ask, "Ghost... would it be alright if... if I stayed here tonight? Just for tonight? I... I don't want to be alone."