Call of Duty Oneshots

Apparitions | Simon 'Ghost' Riley

You were stirring tonight's dinner with Riley and Ghost playing in the living room. Ghost had just returned from a mission overseas so Riley was extra rambunctious.

"It's done!" You shouted over your shoulder as you plated Ghost's favorite dish. Quiet footsteps approached you from behind. His hands glided over your sides and rested on your abdomen. "Smells delicious as always." he said with a kiss to the side of your head.

In the dining room, dinner was eaten quickly with Ghost sneaking pieces to Riley under the table. You gave looks of disapproval at him yet you hid a smile, just happy to have them both back.

"Want to help me with the dishes?" You said as you finished the wine in your glass. Ghost shook his head, "I'll do them, you go relax with Riley and put on our show." He stood and grabbed the plates from the table, kissing you before walking back to the kitchen.

You sat with Riley on the couch with her head in your lap, her face content. After a bit, Ghost joined you and Riley with your favorite dessert. You watched a few episodes before you both grow tired. Giving Riley the last bite of your dessert, you receive a look of disapproval from Ghost just as you gave him. "Oh, you can give her a bite of food but I can't?" He teased.

You nodded with a prideful smile. "Guess rules don't apply to your mother." Ghost whispered to Riley as he patted her tummy. "Exactly." You gloated as you stood up.

You were washing your face in the bathroom with Riley laying on the floor between your feet, head resting on one of your feet. Ghost walked in, "We need to go get food tomorrow for Riley." You nodded before rinsing your face.

Ghost pulled his shirt off and slipped into bed. You scooted next to him and laid on his chest with Riley at your feet. "What else do you want to do tomorrow?" you asked, his scarred chest somewhat distracting.

"I won't be here tomorrow." He said with a sorrowful tone. Riley began to wine. Your eyebrows furrowed and you sat up. "What?" you asked confused. "You have to stop doing this."

"Doing what?" You asked as you tried to sit up but the lamp in the corner caught your eye. Confusion spread over you as you stared at it. "Has that always been that way?" You asked, sitting up straight. Riley's whining became loud and panicked like he was being hurt.

The lamp was blurry, almost glitching. "I have to go." Ghost whispered as he ran his hand through your hair. You turned towards him and his eyes were troubled. "What are you talking about?" You asked as your chest ached.

He sighed as he sat up, petting Riley to calm his whining. He moved the hair from your face and ran a thumb over your bottom lip. "I wish it could be different." He said with a tone that made your chest ache more. "I love you, but..." he paused to kiss you.

"Why are you never real?" He finished.

Once the words left his lips, everything around you began to crumble. Riley laid his head on your lap and whined. You panicked, wondering why everything but Ghost and Riley were disappearing.

You inhaled sharply, sitting up quickly in your bed. Alone. Everything was different, but it was reality. And Ghost and Riley only apparitions again.

You laid back down after the realization set it once more that Ghost and Riley were only characters, just as you did every night.

Tears pricked your eyes as you stared into the darkness above you, your heart ached for a man and dog that were only on a screen, on paper, and in your mind.

From the many times this happened, you knew your mindset wouldn't let you go back to that life. At least not tonight.

You woke up the next morning feeling drained. From the tears that flowed and the lack of sleep after you woke up.

Standing in front of the fridge, you mindlessly scanned for anything that sounded good. But even with the empty ache in your stomach, nothing did.

Shutting the fridge, you reached for a glass on the drying rack by the sink for some water. You drank it slowly, fighting the emotions that threatened to emerge.

He's not real. He's never been real. Why are you getting so worked up over a character?

The answers never satisfied your questions. To you, he WAS real. He helped you through so many things. He'd never hurt me like these "real" men do.

After a quick shower, you tried to play video games but it felt odd to play anything but Call of Duty. You avoided it like you two had a fight. How stupid.

You tried anything to ignore the feelings that became so strong out of nowhere. Coming back to reality always made you sad but this time felt different. And you couldn't figure out why.

You cooked a quick lunch, eating it only to get rid of the ache in your stomach, not because you wanted to.

Sitting in front of the TV, you disassociated. Nothing would get rid of the emptiness you felt all day. You knew if you wanted to go back tonight, you'd need to clear your mind.

Many attempts at distractions and more hobbies later, it was time for bed.

You repeated the same ritual as you always did to get back to him.

Usually it didn't take long, but tonight felt different. You felt yourself drift only to be brought back violently.

Focus...

Just go...

Please, I need to see him.

Come on!

You began to cry as you laid there with your eyes shut, begging yourself to just... shift.

"Sweetheart, what are you doing?" the voice caressed you like a silky robe after a lavender bath. You opened your eyes, still wet from the tears, and he was laying on top of you, his mask slightly scaring you.

"Finally." You whispered with relief. "Finally, what?" he asked with a smile in his tone. "Nothing." You hugged around his neck.

You noticed something off. He felt different. Smelled different. He sounded different. You couldn't put your finger on it. You glanced around the room.

My room? You'd never been in your room, it was always a room you made up. And why am I aware of being away from reality?

"Why are you crying?" Ghost asked. You shook your head, brushing away the thoughts to just enjoy him while you could. "Just happy to be here." you said as you run your hands over his back. "You've always been here, I decided to visit you for once."

He felt different because he was different. He smelled different because he's...

Real...