Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨

Frustrated, you slammed the file shut, sending papers scattering across the table. "Damn it," you muttered under your breath. Ghost glanced over from his desk, his expression unreadable. "What's the problem?" he asked, his tone more curious than concerned. You sighed in frustration, feeling the weight of confusion pressing down on you. "I thought I had it," you admitted, frustration tingeing your voice. "But now it feels like I'm just going in circles." Ghost leaned back in his chair, studying you for a moment before rising and walking over to where you sat. He peered down at the papers spread across the table, his eyes scanning the information intently. "Let me see," he said, reaching out to pick up a sheet. You shifted aside, giving him room to examine the documents.

Ghost remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the papers as if searching for a hidden clue. Then, after a pause, he straightened up and turned to face you. "Why don't you take a break?" he suggested, his tone gentle. "Clear your mind for a bit." You nodded at Ghost's suggestion, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling into your bones. As he returned to his desk, you gathered the papers, stacking them neatly on the coffee table. With a weary sigh, you sank back into the couch cushions, rubbing your temples in an attempt to alleviate the growing headache.

Ghost's fingers danced across the keyboard, the rhythmic clacking of keys providing a steady backdrop to the quiet of the room. You watched him work for a moment before a yawn escaped your lips, signaling your body's desperate need for rest. Deciding to give in to the fatigue, you stretched out on the couch, your eyelids growing heavy with each passing moment. The monotonous sound of Ghost's typing soon became a soothing lullaby, coaxing you into a state of drowsiness.

Before long, sleep claimed you, pulling you into its embrace with gentle insistence. Ghost's presence in the room faded into the background as dreams enveloped your mind, transporting you to a realm untouched by the complexities of the waking world. Hours passed in peaceful oblivion, the only indication of time's passage the soft ticking of a nearby clock. When Ghost finally glanced up from his work, his gaze fell upon you, slumbering peacefully on the couch. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he observed your relaxed form, the faint lines of worry smoothing away in your sleep.

Your mouth hung slightly open, emitting soft, rhythmic breaths, while strands of hair escaped their confines, framing your face in gentle disarray. Despite the chaos of the investigation and the weight of the world on your shoulders, in this moment, you appeared utterly serene. With a quiet chuckle, Ghost returned his attention to his work, allowing you to rest undisturbed. As the afternoon sun cast warm rays through the window, bathing the room in a soft golden glow, you remained lost in dreams, oblivious to the world around you. 

The rhythmic clacking of keys ceased as Ghost pushed back from his desk, feeling the stiffness in his joints from hours of focused work. He stood up, stretching his arms above his head in a satisfying stretch before deciding to take a short break. As he made his way towards the bathroom, intent on a quick bathroom break, he found himself intercepted by Price, the seasoned veteran's presence commanding attention in the hall.

"Aye, have you seen Serpent around?" Price's gravelly voice cut through the air, drawing Ghost's focus away from his original destination. Ghost straightened, his brows furrowing slightly at the unexpected inquiry. "No sir, why?" Ghost responded, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern, unsure of the reason for Price's sudden interest in their colleague's whereabouts. Price's expression remained unreadable for a moment before he spoke again, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "I need someone to take her into town. She'll be doing a solo mission." His words hung in the air, the gravity of the situation evident in the lines etched on his weathered face.

Ghost nodded, understanding the gravity of Price's request. "I'll find her, sir," he replied promptly, his mind already racing with the implications of you embarking on a solo mission. Price offered a curt nod of approval before turning away, his attention drawn elsewhere as he attended to the myriad responsibilities that came with his position. Ghost wasted no time, his sense of duty propelling him forward as he hastened back to his office with a renewed sense of purpose.

The urgency of Price's request lingered in Ghost's mind as he re-entered the office, his steps quickening with each stride. Without hesitation, he made his way over to where you lay, your form still draped across the couch in peaceful slumber. Gently, Ghost reached out, his hand hovering over your shoulder as he called out your name in a hushed tone. "Serpent," he murmured, his voice soft yet insistent, seeking to rouse you from your rest. As you stirred, jolted from your sleep by his unexpected touch, confusion clouded your drowsy gaze. "Ghost, what the hell?" you mumbled, your voice thick with sleep as you struggled to comprehend the sudden interruption.

But Ghost wasted no time in explanation, his grip firm yet gentle as he helped you to your feet, urgency evident in his actions. "Let's go," he urged, his tone leaving no room for argument as he guided you towards where Price awaited. You stumbled slightly, still half awake and disoriented from the abrupt disruption of your nap. Ghost's urgency was palpable, and though you tried to shake off the grogginess, the haze of sleep lingered around you like a fog. "Ghost, what's going on?" you asked, your voice tinged with concern as you struggled to keep pace with his determined strides. But Ghost remained tight-lipped, his focus unwavering as he propelled you forward, his sense of duty driving him toward the impending assignment.

Upon reaching Price's location, you found yourself face to face with the commanding presence of your father figure. His expression was stern, yet there was a hint of something else in his eyes—perhaps a flicker of concern beneath the facade of authority. "Ah, there you are," Price said, his voice cutting through the tension-filled air. "Tomorrow night, you'll be heading to the Sin Nombre mansion," Price explained, his voice low and serious. "You'll need to blend in, so we'll need to get you the right outfit." "Just me sir?" you asked, your voice steady despite the unease stirring within you. Price's gaze bore into yours, assessing and unwavering. "For now, yes. I need someone to take you into town for something to wear," he explained, his tone clipped and decisive. "This situation requires your particular..assets."

Your mind raced with questions, but you knew better than to voice them aloud. Instead, you nodded in silent acknowledgment, steeling yourself for the challenge ahead. The weight of responsibility settled heavily upon your shoulders, but you refused to falter under its burden. Ghost stood beside you, a silent sentinel, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the uncertainty. You exchanged a brief glance with him, a silent acknowledgment of the task that lay ahead, before turning your attention back to Price. "I understand, sir," you replied, your voice firm and resolute. 

Ghost's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "You're sending her in there alone?" he questioned, his tone laced with disbelief. Price let out a weary sigh, his gaze flickering between you and Ghost. "She's the only one who can do this," he stated firmly. "We'll have a briefing after she gets an outfit." The weight of Price's words settled heavily upon you, the magnitude of the mission sinking in with each passing moment. You knew the risks involved, but you also understood the importance of the task entrusted to you. Swallowing down any doubts or fears that threatened to surface, you met Price's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'll do whatever it takes," you asserted, your voice steady despite the turmoil swirling within. "I won't let you down." Price nodded in acknowledgment, his expression grave yet tinged with a hint of confidence. "I know you won't," he replied, his tone brimming with quiet reassurance.

1365 words