Proving Myself To Ghost

Temporary Bliss

The next morning comes quicker than I wanted it to as my early morning alarm goes off, dragging me from my sleep. I wake up and reach behind me to feel nothing. Suddenly I'm much more awake as I sit up and look around to find my bed and room empty, an all too familiar sensation for me from my long ago civilian dating life. I let out a sigh and run my hand through my hair with the realization that Ghost was gone.

Not sure why I would expect anything different from the man who can't even commit enough to show his face. No. This is ridiculous, he can't get away with saying the things he said last night and then just run off like nothing happened. I'm not the pathetic girl I was before, I at least deserve an explanation.

I quickly get dressed and almost sprint my way across the gravel to the gym before I come to a stop before the door and take a few breaths to calm myself before stepping in, finding Ghost's familiar form on his usual weight bench. I walk to him with a purpose, intent on getting answers to my burning questions, on my approach Ghost sets his bar above him and swings his legs to one side and sits up,

"Good morning," he says with cheeriness.

"Second thoughts?" I accuse.

"What?" Ghost responds, clearly confused.

"You were gone when I woke up, did you not want anyone to see your walk of shame?" I accuse again.

We sit in silence for a few moments before realization finally gets through to Ghost as he lets out a low chuckle of almost disbelief as he stands and takes the few steps to reach me, he cups my face and lifts my face to meet his,

"Never, love. You were so tired last night I assumed you might sleep in so I left without waking you to do my normal workout, nothing more" he says while searching my eyes.

"Oh..." I say, embarrassment spreading across my cheeks when I realize I'm looking just a bit ridiculous, "sorry, I just..." I trail off as he lifts my face more to make me meet his eyes again.

"If it will make you trust me I will take my ass to the roof right now and tell anyone who passes who you belong to," he says as he lifts his mask slightly and presses a gentle kiss to my lips, sending waves of heat through my body.

"No, no, it's not your problem," I begin, biting my lip as I choose my words carefully, "I just am used to being the regret in the morning I guess," with a shrug as I try to step back and change the heavy tone.

Ghost wraps an arm around me and pulls me to him as he cups the side of my face,

"You're a lot of things... a pain in the ass for one," he chuckles out, "a regret will never be on that list," he finishes as he brushes another kiss across my lips.

We sit in our embrace for a few more moments before I finally end it and gently push back on his chest, "Well, now that you've seen my insecure ass in all it's awkward glory, maybe we should get back to our scheduled programming," I say with a forced smile as I step away towards my usual treadmill I run on.

Ghost finally let's go after a few more seconds and pulls his mask back over his chin before landing a covered kiss to my cheek,

"If you insist, this is the only time I will get with you until tonight though" he sighs out as he turns back to his bench and resumes his routine.

I can feel my cheeks heat up by his words and their insinuation. This is all very new territory for me, I never remember my nerves being so on edge around Graves or any other past relationship and I haven't decided if I like that or not. Ghost has an effect on me that sidetracks me and makes me nervous. Even before last night I would find my mind wandering to him and what he might look like under his mask... and shirt... and pants. I sigh. This is going to be a problem, I grit my teeth and begin running, blanking my mind out as I begin pumping my legs forward until I feel my muscles begin tensing and screaming for me to slow down but I keep pushing forward more until I'm too exhausted to think of Ghost and his tight chest anymore.