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

This Is Love

Simon didn't leave your side.

He joined you in the shower, where he massaged your bruised flesh with soap and hot water. He brought you a warm towel and fresh clothes - albeit men's clothes that were too big for your frame. The cotton shirt hung over your body more like a dress, and you had to roll the pair of sweats over at your hips so they didn't immediately slide down. But they were clean, they smelled good, and most importantly, they weren't Shadow uniform.

The entire time, Simon's hands were on you in some way or other - running through your hair, touching your shoulder gently, squeezing your bicep. It was the complete opposite to earlier that day, when he had been scared to touch you. Now, it seemed like if any physical contact was dropped, he was worried that you would disappear. You didn't mind. It didn't feel clingy, or even overbearing - it was reassuring. You had always appreciated even the smallest of gestures from your Lieutenant, and now, his presence only reminded you that you were safe.

Eventually, Simon nipped downstairs for a few moments, and you made your way back to the bedroom where you had found him. Gentle sunlight streamed through the windows, stinging your weary eyes. You pulled the curtains across to dampen the brightness and dragged yourself onto the bed, letting out a soft groan as your sore body met the mattress.

When Simon reappeared, he shut the door gently behind him with a click. 'Sandman and Soap passed out asleep on the sofa. We'll have a meeting tomorrow.'

You lifted your head from the hard pillow slightly and your lips quirked upwards. 'They're sleeping on the same sofa?'

Simon's reply came with a short grunt as he lowered himself beside you, sitting near the base of his bed. You felt a weight on your ankle, and realised that he had wrapped his hand around it carefully, his fingers squeezing the marred skin comfortingly. 'I think Gaz is buried somewhere in there, too. Like a puddle of puppies, or however the sayin' goes.'

You snorted, and reached over to tug at this hoodie, pulling him towards you. Simon took the hint and, carefully, lowered to lie behind you on the bed,

For a few moments, the only sound in the still room was the combination of your breathing. Yours was quicker, while Simon's breaths came deeper, calmer. There was so much you wanted to say, you didn't know where to start.

At the beginning.

'Do you remember the first time we met?' you murmured.

You could almost feel Simon's interest latch onto your words. 'How could I forget?'

A smile pulled at your lips. 'I couldn't tell what you were thinking when you first saw me,' you said honestly. 'Looking back, I still can't figure it out.'

Simon's voice was a quiet rumble. 'You looked angry. Tired, beaten, and angry. And yet, you were still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.'

Warmth pooled into your chest and stomach at his words, sweet and gentle like honey. You weren't one to gush, not one to get flustered at words like beautiful, but coming from Simon... you knew he meant it. And you liked that he thought you were beautiful. 'You scared the shit out of me with that mask of yours,' you admitted. 'It wasn't love at first sight.'

Simon barked a laugh. 'You callin' me ugly, Sergeant?'

You elbowed him in the ribs. 'Wheesht, of course not. You know you're handsome. I'm just meaning that what we had, what we have, it's always been something more than shallow feelings. It was curiosity at first sight. Interest.' You rolled over to face him, letting his warm breath roll over your skin. Those brown eyes were intense on you, watching every movement. 'My instincts told me to keep an eye on you, and they weren't wrong.'