War of Hearts

Chapter Twenty-Nine - Quiet Understanding

"...Stay."

A smile that could have soothed even the most aching heart stretched across her face. "Okay," she said gently, and settled in next to him without hesitation. He closed his eyes in relief that she agreed and pulled his blanket up for her. The bed felt both too small and too big as she curled herself up next to him as tightly as possible to be mindful of his space. Despite her best efforts, her legs gently brushed against his in the narrow space. Ghost laid on his back and brought his arms behind his head, secretly savoring the feel of her each time her touch feathered over him. They lay together in silence for a long moment before she confessed, quietly, "I get them too."

He grunted softly in understanding and hesitated before putting one arm around her shoulder. His touch was a welcomed gesture of compassion and gratitude, and the sensation of her under his arm felt surprisingly natural, like it was where she belonged.

"I'm sorry," he said gently.

Sabrina felt the weight of his arm as it gently pulled her closer, and she scooted in just enough to lay her head on his chest. She didn't need to respond as they lay in their quiet understanding of each other. The sound of his heartbeat and the rise and fall of his breathing soothed her like a break from the rain in a vicious storm. She could have spent forever there.

Simon looked at her resting on him, and he felt as though it was the most precious moment in the world. He didn't feel nervousness or doubt, but rather, a burning and unwavering devotion. He brought his hand from her shoulder to her head, and began lazily raking his fingers through her hair. "Anything ever help?"

She thought for a moment, debating whether or not to let him in, then realized it was an easy choice. "Actually...yeah."

He paused his movements and lifted his head up to look at her with a curious expression.

She sat up and offered a hand to him. "Come with me."

He followed her out of the tent and his hand stayed firmly locked in hers as she led the way. They climbed a rickety fire escape to the top of a tall building on the border of the base. He surveyed his surroundings and took in the rooftop. This place was a perfect spot for scouting, but he noticed a blanket and some pillows were piled in a corner, and a guitar was propped up on a railing nearby.

She watched him scan, then released his hand and wrapped her arms around herself as nerves and self-doubt began to eat at her.

His hand suddenly felt incomplete, and seeing her self-soothing motion made him feel oddly sad, like he wanted to take her in his arms to be the one to comfort her on her bad nights. He wondered how often she had to fight her own mind alone as he looked over to her, then back to the corner, and a wave of clarity suddenly hit him like a punch to the gut. "...this is where you were the other night." A question as much as a statement.

"Mhmm."

"And I was a massive ass and yelled at you for it."

She huffed a quiet laugh at his self-deprecation, and nodded. "Mhmm," she said again.

Ghost looked to the guitar and recalled its soothing sound sending him to sleep the night she didn't return to her bed.

She saw his gaze linger on it and allowed him in on her secret way of coping. "It helps. When my mind gets too loud... it's something else to listen to."

His eyes remained fixated on it, completely unmoving, and his rough voice became gentle and sweet as his expression flickered with something like curiosity and yearning. "You're full of surprises, Murphy."

She smiled at his words and watched him as the question he couldn't seem to bring himself to ask etched itself in his expression. She walked over to the guitar and gestured for him to sit down.

He sighed his content at her granting his secret wish and softly walked over to settle in, staring up at the sky. She sat on the railing and scooted a bit further away from him, turning her back slightly. He leaned forward with an eyebrow raised. "What's wrong?"

She scratched the back of her neck and turned a shade of red. "I can't if you're staring at me."

He spoke through a soft chuckle, "fine, fine," and laid back again.

The redness faded from her cheeks, and she began to strum a simple, dreamy melody. Her fingers slid and plucked on the strings, and she absent-mindedly began humming an accompaniment to the tune.

Ghost stared up at the stars, and they seemed to twinkle in response to her song. Every note soothed his battered soul, and his mind quieted for the first time in ages. He tried to honor her wishes and keep his eyes away, but he couldn't help sneaking glances at her. His mind drifted to the dream he had of Hex waking him in the middle of the night in his drunken lustful stupor, but this was real in every sense; The way she woke him with gentle, genuine care, the way she didn't hesitate to stay with him, the way she seemed to read his thoughts, the way she fit perfectly in his arms... He was one to always be full of suspicion and doubt, but there was no uncertainty residing in his heart where he held her. He wanted to tell her, wanted to tell her everything.

"...Hex...?" His voice was softer than she'd ever heard.

Her hum shifted to that of a question, "Hm?" but kept strumming. She waited a moment, and paused entirely to turn around when he didn't answer.

She looked over to him, and in the silence, she heard his quiet snoring and saw his eyes peacefully shut tight. She smiled softly and resumed her song, playing late into the evening to keep him sound asleep.