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

A Day to Remember

Bones' POV:

You couldn't stop yourself from pacing back and forth across your living room.

The anticipation of seeing Simon again after weeks apart had your nerves dancing like live wires, your heart beating like the wings of a hummingbird. You checked the clock more than you cared to admit, straightened the few belongings you had, rearranged the cushions on the sofa. Anything to keep your hands and mind occupied until he knocked on your front door.

Simon had texted you that he'd boarded the train from Manchester Victoria station, and that had been just over four hours ago. You knew he'd arrived at Edinburgh Waverley - you'd shamelessly tracked his journey online - and that he was either in a taxi on his way to you, or he would be soon.

You had been counting down the days, the hours, the minutes until you would see your lieutenant again. You had occupied your time with research, filling that hollow ache with details about neurotoxins and their mechanisms of action, trying to fill in gaps in the knowledge that the laboratory had gained. Alongside the journal you had with your innermost thoughts, you had an even messier one that contained whatever information you thought may be relevant later on.

You had just slid it back into one of the coffee tables drawers when a familiar, heavy knock sounded at your front door, and your heart skittered to a stop. You didn't bother trying to compose yourself before hurrying to the door and flinging it open wide.

And there he stood, in the doorway, with that familiar crooked smile that could melt away any worries.

You took a moment to trace his face with your eyes, taking in the scattering of scars, the chap of his lips, the arch of his eyebrows. You admired his new hair colour, the way the silverish blonde caught the sun. You ran your eyes over the line of his broad shoulders and the hoodie that did little to hide the strength of his frame, and down to where he held a bouquet of your favourite flowers in his hands in front of his chest.

And with no warning other than a beaming grin, you threw yourself into his arms.

Ghost's POV:

Simon barely had time to register the door opening before you were throwing yourself at him.

There wasn't a beat of hesitation from either of you. And the moment you were in his arms, Simon felt his entire body relax. He closed his eyes and let himself sink into the hug, savouring the feeling of your arms wrapping around him, holding him close.

'Hey, love,' he murmured.

'I can't believe you're really here.' Your voice was muffled by the fabric his hoodie as you rested your head on his chest.

He let out a low chuckle. 'Wouldn't want to be anywhere else.'

The flowers in his hand pressed against your back, their petals slightly crumpled from the tightness of his grip. When you pulled away, for a moment, he considered hiding them behind his back.

He'd grabbed them from a stall near the train station, recognised them as your favourites. He had another surprise hiding, but he figured that would be best saved for later.

Gifting the flowers was strange enough as it was, anyway. The only people he'd ever given flowers to had been buried six feet under. Gravestones couldn't offer any reaction.

You could, though.

He looked away as he extended the bouquet towards you, and said in a gruff voice, 'got these for you.'

'They're beautiful,' you said. Simon didn't miss the note of surprise in your tone, and he finally mustered the courage to glance up at you. He saw the widening smile on your face, the way your eyes lit up, and he knew that he had done the right thing.