I Feel It In My Bones (Simon "Ghost" Riley x Reader)

Separated by Glass

You arrived at your new base around noon.

As the chopper descended upon the sprawling military base, the roar of its engines echoing through the air, you felt your stomach tighten with nerves. You had gotten used to the calmness of the base with the task force - the sweet scent of pine, the rugged mountains sheltering you from the outside world. The sheer magnitude of this base was almost overwhelming, a stark change from the peace and isolation you had grown accustomed to.

The massive compound below was a hive of activity, soldiers in various uniforms, military vehicles, and the ceaseless bustle of personnel going about their duties. With a gentle thud, the chopper made contact with the frozen ground, and you and Price disembarked, hauling your duffel bags over your shoulders. The biting chill in the air immediately gripped you, seeping through your uniform, a harsh reminder that winter here was far colder than you had anticipated. You kept your gaze steady above your skull balaclava, though you were unable to ease the flicking of your eyes at every nearby motion.

Damn hypervigilence.

The moment your boots met the solid ground, a tall man with mouse-brown hair approached. As he drew nearer, an arrogance to his walk, you could see the lines of experience etched on his features.

'Welcome,' he greeted with a one-sided smile, his voice a commanding American drawl. 'I'm Phillip Graves. You must be Captain Price and Doctor–'

'Bones,' you cut him off as his gaze turned to you.

If Graves was surprised by your interruption, he didn't show it. He appraised you with that smile, a shine in those grey eyes. 'Interesting name,' he said, and stuck a gloved hand out towards you. 'Nice to meet you, Doctor Bones.'

You stared down at his hand, keeping your own arms tucked beside your body, holding the straps of your baggage just below your shoulders. A tense moment hung in the air before Graves withdrew his outstretched hand, seemingly unfazed by your response. Price, always quick on his feet, extended a hand towards Graves, who returned the gesture with a hearty handshake.

'Good to see you, Commander Graves,' Price said with a swift nod. You stood your ground, your silence a shield as much as the balaclava you wore. Graves gestured towards the bustling base behind him.

'Let's get you settled in, both of you,' he said, leading the way into the heart of the military base, towards a large concrete building. As you followed, your eyes remained sharp, never missing a detail.

The three of navigated the bustling compound. As you walked through the hum of activity, the loud voices of soldiers and the constant motion of vehicles, you couldn't help but feel unsettled.

Your dull eyes scanned the surroundings, trying to absorb every detail. Soldiers in various uniforms hurried between training sessions and assignments, and military vehicles rumbled by.

It seemed as though Price was thinking the same. 'It's busy,' he remarked. 'This much activity normal here?'

'Not this much,' Graves replied as led you into the base's headquarters. 'We're just getting some things moved around. Preparing for any and all scenarios.'

Though there was no context with his words, it wasn't difficult to figure out what he meant by that. Inside the base, you were met with the humming buzz of personnel. As Price and Graves continued to converse, you followed silently, purposefully ignoring the turning of curious heads in your direction.

It didn't take long for you to arrive at what you presumed to be the living quarters. Graves stopped halfway down the hallway, gesturing to two adjacent rooms.

'You're accommodations,' he said with a smile. 'Make yourselves at home. We'll have a meeting tomorrow to make sure everyone's on the same page. If you need anything in the meantime, don't hesitate to find me.'