Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐞

As you and Soap set to work cleaning the vehicles outside, you feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, prompting you to remove your shirt, revealing the sports bra underneath. Soap follows suit, taking off his shirt as well, the muscles in his arms flexing as he wrings out a sponge. "Feels good to be out here, doesn't it?" Soap comments, tossing the sponge into a bucket of soapy water. You nod, wiping a bead of sweat from your brow. "Yeah, it's nice to get some fresh air," you reply, picking up a hose to rinse off the dirt from one of the jeeps. The two of you fall into a comfortable rhythm, working in tandem to scrub away the grime from the vehicles.

As you scrub away at the hood of a jeep, Soap glances over at you with a grin. "You know, Serpent, you're not half bad at this," he remarks, nodding approvingly at your handiwork. You return his grin, feeling a sense of pride at the compliment. "Thanks, Soap," you reply, your spirits lifted by his praise. You pause in your cleaning, noticing a sleek motorcycle parked nearby. "Hey, Soap, there's a motorcycle here," you remark, gesturing toward the vehicle.

Soap glances over and nods. "Yeah, there are a few around. It's almost impossible to get Ghost to let us use one, though," he replies, shaking his head. Curious, you furrow your brow. "Why's that?" you inquire, setting down your sponge to give Soap your full attention. Soap lets out a sigh, leaning against the hood of the jeep. "He's pretty protective of them. Says they're for specific missions only," he explains, a hint of frustration in his voice. You nod, understanding the reasoning behind Ghost's reluctance. "I see. But couldn't hurt to ask, right? One ride won't hurt," you suggest, hoping to persuade Soap to join in your curiosity. Soap chuckles, glancing at the motorcycle thoughtfully. "Maybe you've got a point. Let's finish up here and see if we can convince him," he agrees, a grin spreading across his face.

With the cleaning done, you and Soap approach Ghost, who is overseeing some equipment checks. "Hey, Ghost, mind if we have a quick word?" Soap calls out. Ghost nods, his expression guarded. "What?" he replies, keeping his tone even. "We were thinking of taking one of the motorcycles for a spin," you interject, trying to sound casual despite the tension. Ghost's brows knit together in a slight frown. "And why would you need to do that?" he asks, his gaze shifting between you and Soap. "Just for a quick ride around, you know, get a feel for the area," Soap offers, a hopeful smile playing on his lips.

Ghost's skepticism is palpable. "These bikes aren't toys. They're for mission use only," he states firmly, his tone brooking no argument. Soap raises an eyebrow, his disappointment evident. "Come on, Ghost, we'll be careful. It's not like we're going to wreck them," he argues, trying to appeal to Ghost's reason. Ghost shakes his head, unmoved. "I can't risk them getting damaged. They're expensive equipment," he insists, his stance resolute. With a playful smirk, you nudge Soap's shoulder. "Ah, don't mind him, Soap. Ghost here's just being an old head, acting like a grumpy old man," you quip, trying to lighten the mood.

Ghost's expression remains stoic, but a flicker of amusement glints in his eyes. "Someone's got to keep you two in line," he retorts, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Soap chuckles, nudging you back. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, old man," you tease, earning a pointed look from Ghost. You stifle a laugh, enjoying the banter despite the tension that lingered between you all. Ghost's tone shifts, his expression turning serious. "Just for that, Serpent, we've got training to do," he says, his voice commanding yet tinged with a hint of challenge. You raise an eyebrow, the playful atmosphere evaporating as you realize he's serious. "Training? Now?" you ask, surprised by the sudden shift in focus.

Ghost nods, his gaze unwavering. "Now," he confirms, gesturing for you to follow him. You exchange a glance with Soap, who shrugs in response. With a resigned sigh, you quickly grab your shirt and put away your cleaning supplies before following Ghost. 

Under Ghost's watchful eye, you engage in shooting drills, the rhythmic sound of gunfire echoing across the training grounds. Despite the initial tension, you quickly find your rhythm, each shot hitting its mark with precision and accuracy. As you reload your weapon, Ghost observes your technique, his expression inscrutable. There's a flicker of surprise in his eyes, a grudging admiration for your skill. You can sense his approval, a silent acknowledgment of your proficiency with firearms.

In a surprising move, Ghost hands you his prized sniper rifle, a weapon of unparalleled precision and power. You hesitate, your fingers tracing the sleek contours of the rifle's barrel. Shooting a sniper rifle is unfamiliar territory for you, a daunting challenge that fills you with uncertainty. Ghost's voice breaks through your thoughts, his tone steady and reassuring. "Go ahead," he says, his eyes locking with yours. There's a quiet confidence in his demeanor, a silent encouragement to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the challenge.

With a deep breath, you raise the sniper to your shoulder, the weight of the weapon familiar yet foreign in your hands. Your heart pounds in your chest as you line up your shot, your focus narrowing to a single point in the distance. Time seems to slow as you squeeze the trigger, the recoil reverberating through your body as the bullet streaks towards its target. For a moment, there's only the sound of your heartbeat pounding in your ears, the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Then, a distant clang echoes across the training grounds, signaling a direct hit. A sense of exhilaration washes over you, a rush of adrenaline and accomplishment. You lower the rifle, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips. Ghost regards you with a nod of approval, a silent acknowledgment of your achievement. As you hand the sniper rifle back to Ghost, a newfound sense of confidence swells within you.

"Why am I the only one still being trained?" you demand, your frustration bubbling to the surface. "I am clearly good at what I do and my wound is healed." Ghost meets your gaze evenly, unfazed by your anger. "Because, compared to everyone else, you have the least amount of experience," he says bluntly. "I can't afford to have a liability on the team." His words strike a nerve, igniting a surge of indignation within you. "A liability?" you repeat, your voice rising with each syllable. "I may not have the same level of experience, but I'm not some incompetent fool!"

Ghost remains impassive, his demeanor unyielding. "Prove it," he challenges, his tone firm. "Show me that you're worth the effort." You grit your teeth, swallowing back a retort. Despite your anger, you know that lashing out won't change his mind. With a clenched jaw, you nod curtly. "Fine. I'll show you."

1206 words