Fluorescent lights greeted you as your eyes fluttered open. You squinted, eyes shifting away from them quickly down to your hand. It throbbed and ached and was bandaged up.
Your eyes slowly focused on the room around you. It was still and peaceful. The white walls seemed comforting, despite the feeling of the throbbing dullness pulsing through your hand, up your arm.
A quiet sound caught your attention. You slowly turned your head in the direction of the sound and saw Ghost, sitting next to your bed.
He was leaning forward onto your bed, arms folded on the it and his head resting on them with his eyes closed. He was asleep, the mask off and discarded on the floor by his boot. Eyeblack still painted on his eyes.
Your eyes softened at bit as you looked at his sleeping frame. The hand that wasn't injured came up, raking through his hair.
Ghost let out a small hum. He was still asleep, but his mind was starting to drift towards waking. His eyes flickered and he slowly opened them.
He slowly rose his head up and saw you lightly touching him. He paused for a moment, like he had to remember where he was. Then, he tilted his head and stared at you.
The mask was off and Ghost's face was unguarded. There was no mask to hide his feelings. Ghost was just staring at you, his eyes locking onto yours.
"I'm okay." You whispered, reassuring him.
Ghost kept his eyes on you as you spoke. It took him a moment to respond, emotion filling him once again.
"I was worried." Ghost's voice sounded tired and raspy. His eyes scanned you up and down, from the bandages wrapped around your hand to the hospital gown you were wearing.
"How do you feel?" Ghost asked. His tone was quieter than usual and more intimate than ever.
"My hand hurts." You reply, cracking a smile at him. Memories flashed through his mind, of Ghost killing Cain, of Az being taken in by the others, of Ghost rushing to your side and carrying you away.
"What.. happened to Az?"
Ghost closed his eyes for a moment before turning them back to you.
"Gaz took him in." His voice was soft as he spoke to you.
Your smile caught his attention and he stared at you for a few moments, still processing everything that had happened in the last hour.
The smile on your face melted the tiredness from his eyes as he tried to contain his excitement at seeing you again. Ghost's gaze slowly drifted toward your hand as he spoke again.
"Is your hand alright? You lost a lot of blood."
Your eyes scan your wounded hand, the bandage on it would need to be replaced soon. "I'm not sure."
Ghost took your free hand, gently taking it in his and holding it against his chest. His fingers lightly gripped yours and Ghost's warmth filled your body. You felt so alive at that moment.
"It will be okay, I promise you." Ghost said. He was trying to hide the pain you saw in his eyes. "It'll take time to heal, but we'll get you patched up."
He let his gaze stray back to you, staring back into your eyes."How do you feel?" He asked again. "Other than your hand."
Your hand on his chest slowly moved up, caressing his cheek. "Stop it.. I know you feel guilty for this. It isnt your fault."
Your heart ached that familiar pain. You didnt want him hurting, you didn't want him to feel guilty over this.
Ghost seemed to be surprised by your touch. His eyes quickly glanced down at your fingers, tracing his cheek. A soft hum passed through his lips and he closed his eyes for a moment.
He tried keeping his tone steady, but your words still hit his emotions hard.
"I know that, but I still feel—" His voice cracked with emotion. "But I—" The words felt stuck in his throat, like his mind had to catch up to his feelings.
Ghost kept his eyes closed, trying to hold back emotion as he spoke. Your fingers drift from Ghost's cheek, letting them fall onto his hand. He let out a soft sigh and opened his eyes again.
He looked into your eyes again and the softness in them caught Ghost's attention. He wanted to risk it all now, confess to you and whisper how much he loved and needed you and thought you'd be dead.
"I'm just happy to see you awake. I was..." Ghost's voice trailed off as he tried to find his next words. "...worried."
Ghost's eyes drifted to your hand and he gently squeezed your fingers.
"Simon." You call his name softly, breaking him from his thoughts.
"Yeah?" Ghost said. His voice was quiet and there was a small hint of hesitation in his tone. He started before cutting himself off.
You scoot over on the bed slightly, reaching out. "Please come here.."
His hand quickly tightened around yours as he slowly moved toward the edge of the hospital bed. His eyes were locked on you again, not looking away. Ghost wanted to look away so bad.
He gently placed a finger on the end of your chin, tilting your face up to make your eyes meet his. His eyes were still trying to catch up with his mind, and he let out another soft hum before speaking.
"I..." Ghost's words trailed off again. He didn't know where to start. Ghost's lips slowly parted and he hesitated.
You frown slightly, leaning into his touch. "I wont break, Si.."
Ghost kept your head tilted upwards, locking his gaze onto you. When he noticed your frown, his eyes softened a little bit.
"I know." Ghost's voice was quiet, almost like he was still trying to hold back his emotions. His eyes were darting across your face, he was trying to find the right things to say to you.
Ghost's hand moved from your chin and brushed through your hair. His eyes were still studying your face.
You shift your weight as best as you can and leaned up closer to him. "Are you not going to kiss me?"
Ghost's eyes dropped to your lips as you spoke. He took in your expression before saying anything else.
Ghost leaned down and pressed his lips against yours. His hand moved back onto your chin, keeping your lips on his as he shifted himself closer to you.
You smile up at him as the kiss breaks. His lips brush against your forehead, and he let out a sigh.
"You're never leaving my side again." He said quietly. "Got it?"
You smiled, nodding. "Got it."
