Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

You approach Ghost's office door with a plate of freshly cooked omelettes in hand, lightly rapping on the wooden surface. Ghost opens the door, and you stand there holding a plate. "I heard you wanted one," you say, offering it to him. "Oh, uh... yeah," he responds, taking note of the omelettes. "Thanks," he adds, stepping aside to let you in. You place the plate on his desk, but as you turn to leave, Ghost's voice stops you. "Stay a moment," he says, and you hesitate before nodding and taking a seat.

 Ghost leans back in his chair, his expression unreadable as he looks at you. "I've been thinking about our training sessions," he begins, his tone serious. "I want to make sure you're ready for what's coming." You nod, feeling a sense of apprehension settle over you. Ghost's intensity always had a way of making you feel on edge. "I know I've been tough on you," he continues, "but it's because I believe in your potential. I've seen glimpses of it, but there's still work to be done." You swallow, feeling a mix of frustration and determination welling up inside you. "I'm doing my best," you reply, trying to keep your voice steady.

Ghost nods, his gaze unwavering. "I know you are," he says, "But we can't afford any mistakes out there. Lives are on the line." You meet his gaze, the weight of his words sinking in. "I understand," you say, your resolve firm. "I won't let you down." Ghost pauses, then leans forward, his expression turning more serious. "That's not what I'm worried about," he says, his voice low. "It's your impulsiveness. You act before you think, and it could get you killed out there." Your jaw tightens, and you sit up straighter in your chair. "I'm not reckless," you argue, feeling a surge of defensiveness. "I know when to take risks and when to hold back."

Ghost raises an eyebrow, a skeptical look crossing his face. "Do you?" he asks, his tone challenging. "Because from what I've seen, you have a tendency to rush into situations without considering the consequences." You bristle at his words, feeling your temper flare. "I'm not some rookie who needs to be babysat," you shoot back, your voice rising. "I can handle myself just fine." Ghost's expression remains impassive, but there's a glint of frustration in his eyes. "This isn't about your ego," he says firmly. "It's about keeping you and the team safe. And if you can't see that, then maybe you're not as ready as I thought." 

The words sting, hitting a nerve deep inside you. You open your mouth to respond, but before you can, Ghost stands up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "We're done here," he says curtly, his tone final. How dare he question your readiness? You've trained hard, pushed yourself to the limit, and proved yourself time and again. And yet, he still treats you like some inexperienced recruit. As you stew in your anger, you can't help but feel a stubborn defiance rising within you. You refuse to let Ghost undermine your abilities or dictate how you should approach a mission. You're not about to back down without a fight.

You quickly follow Ghost out of the room, catching up to him just as he's about to turn a corner. "Hey," you call out, your voice sharp with irritation. He stops in his tracks, but doesn't turn to face you. "What?" he responds tersely, his tone brusque. You step in front of him, blocking his path, your eyes narrowed in determination. "I'm not done talking," you say firmly, refusing to be brushed aside. Ghost finally looks at you, his expression guarded. "There's nothing more to say," he retorts, his voice clipped. "Oh, I think there is," you shoot back, your frustration bubbling over. "You can't just lecture me about impulsiveness and then storm off like some high-and-mighty drill sergeant."

He sighs, running a hand over his face in exasperation. "I'm not trying to be your drill sergeant," he says, his tone softer now, but no less firm. "I'm trying to make sure you're prepared for what's ahead. And right now, you're not." Your jaw clenches, your temper flaring at his condescending tone. "And who appointed you as the judge of that?" you demand, your voice rising. Ghost meets your gaze, his eyes steady. "I don't need to be appointed," he says evenly. "I've seen enough to know when someone's ready and when they're not. And right now, you're teetering on the edge." You scoff, shaking your head in disbelief. "You don't know anything about me," you retort, your voice tinged with bitterness. "You don't know what I've been through, what I'm capable of."

For a moment, there's a flicker of something in Ghost's eyes—regret, maybe, or understanding. But it's gone in an instant, replaced by that familiar mask of stoicism. "Maybe not," he says quietly. "But I know enough to know that you need to prove yourself. And until you do, I won't be convinced." His words hit you like a punch to the gut, leaving you reeling with a mixture of anger and hurt. You open your mouth to respond, but the words stick in your throat, choked off by the weight of his expectations. 

In the end, you simply turn on your heel and walk away, your footsteps echoing in the empty hallway as you leave Ghost behind heading to Price's office, his words lingering in the air like an unspoken challenge. You take a deep breath, trying to quell the tumultuous emotions roiling inside you, and then knock firmly on the door. "Come in," Price's voice calls from inside. You push open the door, stepping into the dimly lit office. Price is seated behind his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he pores over a stack of documents. He looks up as you enter, his gaze meeting yours with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Y/N" he says, setting aside the papers and gesturing for you to take a seat. "What brings you here?" You hesitate for a moment, trying to find the right words to express the frustration and anger that have been building inside you since your encounter with Ghost. Finally, you settle for a simple, "I need to talk to you." Price nods, his expression serious. "Of course," he says, leaning back in his chair. "What's on your mind?"

"What's going on with you and Ghost? You've been having a lot of closed-door meetings lately." Price's expression remains neutral, but there's a flicker of something in his eyes. "Just discussing operational matters, Serpent," he replies calmly, though you sense there's more to it. You narrow your eyes, not entirely convinced by his answer. "It seems like there's more to it than that," you press, your voice tinged with suspicion. Price leans back in his chair, regarding you with a steady gaze. "You know I can't divulge all the details of every conversation, Serpent," he says evenly. "But I assure you, everything is under control." You chew on your bottom lip, weighing his words carefully. "It's just... I feel like something's off," you admit, unable to shake the feeling of unease that's been gnawing at you.

Price's expression softens, and he reaches across the desk to place a reassuring hand on your arm. "Trust me, Serpent," he says quietly. "We're all on the same team here. If there's anything you need to know, I'll make sure you're informed." You nod, acknowledging his words even as doubts continue to linger in the back of your mind. With a final nod to Price, you turn to leave his office, the conversation leaving you with more questions than answers.

1282 words