Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐜𝐞

You had spent most of the next day in your room and the weight room, training for the late night mission while avoiding anyone who wasn't Keegan, Price, or Gaz. Your words hung in the air as Keegan described his guilt for what he said to Soap.

"You can't just say things like that Keegan." You said turning to him sitting on your bed. Keegan took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "I'm sorry for going off like that. It's just... frustrating. I know they lost good people, and now they have to trust someone new. I can't imagine what they're going through." Sitting on your bed, Keegan gestured for you to join him. "Let's focus on the mission. We'll figure it out, and hopefully, they'll see we're here to help, not replace." You sat by him, and he stared off into the distance as if he was carefully thinking about something.

He then turned to you with a curious look in his eyes. "So Serpent, what's your story? Who are you?" You hesitated for a moment, choosing your words carefully. "Well, you know how it is. Classified missions, covert ops, and a lot of things I can't really talk about. Just your typical soldier stuff, I guess." Keegan looked at you, his masked expression giving nothing away. "That can't be it for a pretty girl like you. What about before the military? Do you have any family or people to go home to?" You felt a pang of discomfort at Keegan's probing questions. "Not much to tell, really. Grew up in a Manchester, ordinary family. Nothin' too exciting." You lied giving a nonchalant shrug, hoping to divert the conversation away from personal details.

"Well, can I at least get your name? Or will I have to dig through files?" You flashed a small smile, deciding to give away a little. "Y/N. But you won't find much in those files. I like to keep things under wraps, you know?" Keegan's eyes glinted with intrigue as he leaned back, a smirk forming beneath his mask. "Well, Y/N, looks like I've got myself a mystery to solve. Challenge accepted." You raised an eyebrow, amused by Keegan's playful demeanor. "Good luck with that. I'm not that easy to figure out," you replied, a hint of a smile playing on your lips. Keegan leaned back, crossing his arms casually. "So what about you Keegan? What's your story?"

"Ah, you know, typical military guy stuff. Grew up in the heartland, joined the Marines, did some tours, and now here I am," he said with a nonchalant shrug copying you. You glanced at him, sensing there might be more beneath the surface. "Come on, there's always more to the story than that. What's the real scoop?" He chuckled, a twinkle in his eyes. "Maybe I'll tell you sometime, Serpent, when you've earned my trust."

The two of you sat in a comfortable silence before your stomach let out a low grumble. Keegan chuckled at the sound. "Seems like our thrilling tales have left your stomach protesting. Wanna check out what's in the kitchen?" You smirked, realizing he might have a point. "Sure, why not?" Keegan grinned. "Lead the way, Serpent." The two of you then walked down the stairs, and to your surprise, no one was down there.

As you searched through the fridge and pantry, most items were labeled with the names of your new teammates. You then came across a Tupperware container labeled 'Roach,' a name all so familiar to you. Looking at the random ingredients that weren't labeled, you shrugged and said, "Well, it seems like we've got a mystery dinner on our hands. I can work with this." The challenge of preparing a meal with unknown ingredients added a touch of excitement to the evening. Keegan chuckled, seemingly amused by the idea, and you set out to create a dinner from the unlabeled items.

After some scavenging through the different ingredients, you managed to find the makings of a delightful meal – chicken marsala with a side of asparagus. The challenge only fueled your determination to create something delicious. With Keegan watching behind the counter, you set to work in the kitchen, turning plain ingredients into a savory dinner. The aroma of cooking filled the air, creating a sense of hospitality and warmth in the otherwise unfamiliar surroundings. As you cooked, you couldn't help but notice Keegan's watchful gaze. "You planning on helping, or just enjoying the show?" you teased, breaking the silence. Keegan chuckled, "I'm just admiring the chef at work. Don't let me get in the way." The banter lightened the atmosphere, and you continued with the meal preparation.

"Mmm! Something smells good! What's cooking?" Gaz inquired startling you, curiosity in his voice. You gestured to the pans, "Just a little improvisation with what we had. Chicken Marsala with a side of asparagus. Care to join?" Gaz grinned, "I'd be a fool to turn down your cooking." You smiled at him and asked, "Do you think the rest of the team would like some?" Keegan shot you a sidelong glance, a silent reminder of the tension that still lingered after yesterday's argument. Gaz, catching on, nodded, "I'll check with them, be right back guys." You watched him turn and leave down the hall.

"You're offering them food after all that?" Keegan asked crossing his arms. You sighed, realizing the lingering frustration. "Keegan, people make mistakes. Maybe a meal can help break the ice a bit. Besides, we need to find a way to work together." Keegan's stern expression softened as he glanced at you with a hint of intrigue, and he wondered how you were so optimistic and forgiving in this line of work.

As the enticing aroma wafted through the room, the rest of the men began to emerge. Price, taking notice of the delightful smell, quirked an eyebrow and said, "Well, it seems we're in for a treat." Ghost and Soap remained silent, their expressions guarded, but Soap's eyes followed your every move in the kitchen with a keen interest. You could sense a curiosity beneath his demeanor, perhaps a subtle acknowledgment of the unexpected talents hidden behind the facade of a seasoned soldier.

With the meal ready, you placed six plates on the counter, each carefully arranged with a serving of chicken and asparagus. You turned to them and gestured to the plates, a silent invitation for anyone to grab a plate and partake in the impromptu feast. As the men grabbed their plates, Soap, the last one in line, looked at you with a nod of appreciation. "Thanks," he mumbled, a hint of nervousness in his voice. He lingered for a moment before quietly adding, "Can we talk later?" You nodded in response, "Sure, Soap. Just let me know."

As everyone gathered around the table, you noticed Ghost taking his plate and silently making his way down the hall. The room fell into an awkward silence for a moment, but then Gaz spoke up. "It's the mask thing, he doesn't take it off in front of anyone. Don't take it personally." The team then began to dig into the meal you had prepared, and gradually, the tension started to dissipate. It was a peculiar feeling, sitting there with a group of individuals who were, in essence, strangers forced to work together. You looked up to see Soap with a genuine smile, and it caught you off guard. "I can't lie, lass, this is delicious," he complimented, surprising not only you but the entire room. It was a stark difference from the argument yesterday , and you couldn't help but smile in return.

"Thanks, Soap. Glad you like it," you replied, and you noticed a few nods of approval from the others. It seemed that, at least for now, the power of good food had managed to break through the barriers that had formed. As the team enjoyed the meal, the conversation shifted to more casual topics, and you found yourself engaged in discussions that revealed glimpses of the personalities behind the military facade. Little by little, the ice began to melt, and a sense of camaraderie slowly settled in.

1300 words

(filler to build the relationships)