A Living Shield (John Price x OC/Reader slowburn)

27) Where There's Smoke..

[🎵: 7 Rings - Ariana Grande 🔂]

"Wraith, you're hogging all the warm water! You almost done in there??"

Opening your eyes as you lowered your face out of the warmth rushing over it, you blinked against the water. Your vision blurry as it mingled with the stream washing past. Running your fingers through your soaked hair you sighed deeply, aware your moment of relaxation was gone. You'd really needed it to calm your nerves, but now you could almost see your inner peace circling the drain as the moment slipped away.

"What's that? You said you wanted me to take your turn in the shower as well? God, you're so generous Garrick", you said out loud as you made sure all the suds were clear from your hair. You wanted to be somewhat presentable today.

"If I'm showering with cold water I'm telling Laswell it was you who set off the airstrike support two days ago, prematurely might I add", you heard an unbothered and sly voice say through the door as you glared at it around the shower curtain.

"You wouldn't", you answered back, a little more unsure now as you turned off the water and wrapped your towel around you.

Quickly twisting your hair in a smaller one, you cleared up your stuff and gathered your clothes.

"Care to risk it, sergeant?"

You dried yourself off to the best of your abilities while you jumped into to your clothes haphazardly, fumbling with your socks as you unlocked the door and stared straight into a smug looking face.

"See? That wasn't so hard", Gaz said with a chuckle as he looked at you, realising you wore your sleeveless black turtleneck top inside out. "Fashion icon today, huh?"

"You're an absolute arse, you know that?", you spoke with a huff as you ignored Gaz's stare at your not so formal outfit of choice. His handsome face flashing a white teethy grin. So sassy as always.

"Takes one to know one. My turn!", was all you got from him as he slipped past you, pushed you out the doorframe and locked it behind your back. Almost immediately he started playing music and you made yourself scarce before he could start singing. Gaz the Musical was more than you could handle right now.

You had a bit of a calmer day today, so you spent the afternoon in the gym getting spurred on by your team mates, and getting shit on for not being able to lift as much as them. Soap was still there with Ghost after you'd tapped out early to go take your shower, because for once you had plans to get ready for. You were heading out with the three lads later tonight for drinks, at a bar you sometimes frequented off base and you felt like getting ready on time.

Before that however, you had something else planned. Something you still weren't a 100% sure of and you had no clue on how to initiate. Staring at the odd square box sitting next to your bed, you got ready as your eyes kept glancing at it from time to time. As if it's existence was a source of anxiety.

Is this considered inappropriate? Is it okay for sergeants to give stuff to superiors? Maybe I shouldn't-

Sighing out loud you rubbed your eyes with one of your hands, deciding to ignore your own racing mind for now. You'd have time for second guessing once you actually got there. A buzz in your backpocket made you open your eyes and check as you smiled a little.

[Wolfe 🐺 – Sarge, you there?]

A split decision was made as you grabbed instinctively for your worn out combat boots, yet course corrected at the last second for some high heeled boots. Still sturdy, but at least more suited for a night out. You nearly forgot the box as you reached for it and made your way out of your room and down the stairs. Gaz's singing wafting by you as you left the bathroom behind. He was giving Lady Gaga a run for her money when you opened your phone.