COD Oneshots

Bookworm 2 (Ghost)

A few days had passed since that fateful encounter in the bookstore, and Simon—Ghost—was back on a mission. Soap and Gaz, however, couldn't shake the image of him sitting there, all calm and relaxed with Y/N. It had been one of the strangest things they'd ever seen: Ghost, the most stoic and hardened man they knew, being drawn into conversations with a quiet bookstore owner. And the way he listened to her... they couldn't let it go.

That's when Soap had an idea.

"Ghost's on mission, yeah?" Soap said one morning, glancing over at Gaz. "What do you say we pay Y/N a visit?"

Gaz raised an eyebrow. "You think that's a good idea? He might kill us when he finds out."

Soap grinned, mischief sparkling in his eyes. "He won't know. Besides, we're just... checking things out. Getting her side of the story."

Gaz thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright. Let's see what she's got to say about our man Simon."

The two of them set off, making their way to the familiar little bookstore. The bell chimed as they stepped inside, and there she was—Y/N, behind the counter, sorting through a new shipment of books. She looked up when they entered, offering a warm smile.

"Oh, hey! You're Simon's friends, right?" she greeted them with genuine friendliness, and neither Soap nor Gaz could help but smile back.

"Yep, that's us," Soap said, leaning casually on the counter. "We were in the neighborhood, thought we'd stop by."

Y/N's eyes lit up with recognition. "How's Simon doing? I haven't seen him in a few days."

"He's... on a work trip," Gaz replied, choosing his words carefully. "He'll be back soon."

"Oh, I see," Y/N said, her voice softening a bit with what seemed like concern. "He didn't mention anything last time he was here."

Soap and Gaz exchanged a look. There it was again—that tone. The way she said his name with such ease, such warmth. It was subtle, but it was there.

"So," Soap began, ever the one to push boundaries, "how'd you meet Simon?"

Y/N smiled, remembering. "He just wandered in one day. I wasn't sure if he was a reader at first, but then he started coming back, and we'd talk about books... well, mostly I talk, and he listens."

Gaz chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds like him."

Y/N's gaze softened again as she talked. "He's quiet, but he listens in a way that not many people do. I always thought that was kind of special."

Soap raised an eyebrow, intrigued. There was something in her tone, something almost... fond. Very fond. "So, you two get along pretty well, then?"

Y/N blushed faintly, looking down at the stack of books in front of her. "I guess you could say that. He's been coming by regularly. It's nice. I'm not sure if he enjoys the books as much as I do, but I think he likes the company."

Both Soap and Gaz noticed the way she spoke about Ghost—not just with casual fondness, but with a softness that hinted at something deeper. There was a certain look in her eyes, a quiet affection that she probably hadn't even realized was there.

Soap leaned in, crossing his arms on the counter. "You know, he's not exactly the type to open up easily."

Y/N nodded thoughtfully. "I figured as much. He never talks much about himself. But I don't mind. I like having him around."

Gaz, who had been watching Y/N carefully, exchanged a knowing glance with Soap. It was clear now—Y/N liked Simon, more than just as a friendly customer. And judging by the way Ghost acted around her, it was obvious that he felt something too, even if he hadn't admitted it to himself yet.