Beyond Duty - Simon Ghost Riley x Reader

Chapter 21. Open your eyes

The first thing I notice is the stillness. My body feels heavy, like I'm trapped beneath a weighted blanket or something. My throat burns, raw and dry, and my head throbs in time with my heartbeat. Slowly, the sterile scent of antiseptic fills my head and cuts through my hazy mind.

The infirmary.

I open my eyes, but fuck this lighting is so blinding. It takes a moment before shapes begin to form. The bare white walls, the IV drip next to me, and a dark figure slouched in a chair by my bedside.

Ghost.

Even sitting down, he's imposing. His broad shoulders draped in his tactical gear, arms crossed over his chest. His signature skull mask in place, hiding every feature except his sharp piercing eyes. His eyes are locked on me, and the intensity in them sends a jolt of electricity through me.

"You're awake." He says, his deep British accent rough and gravelly.

He doesn't move, doesn't uncross his arms, but his eyes seemingly betray him. They're scanning me, almost like he's searching for signs of life, and for just a moment I swear I can catch a hint of relief flickering in them before it's gone.

"What...happened?" My voice is closer to a whisper than anything, scratchy and weak.

"You were reckless." He growls, leaning over slightly. "Ran into a burning building, nearly getting yourself killed. That's what happened." His tone is harsh, but there's something else beneath it. Something raw. I can't quite place it, but it lingers in my head.

"Someone had to get Alejandro out." I croak and shoot him a glare, but I can't help but to start coughing after getting out my words. Covering my mouth with my inner arm and looking away as I do.

"And that someone could have died. Besides sergeant, it wasn't you who saved him. Rudy did." Ghost snaps, his voice low but cutting.

Fuck.

Ghost shakes his head, "You think you're invincible? You're not. You're bloody lucky I found you when I did."

I wince at his angry words. "I didn't ask you to."

Fuck what am I saying right now?

The room falls silent. The tension suffocates me. Ghosts jaw tightens, and for a moment I think I pushed him too far.

"You didn't have to." Ghost finally replies, his voice quiet now, and less sharp. "That's the bloody problem."

I notice now that he's sitting stiffly. A Dark stain mars the sleeve of his uniform.

"You're hurt." I say, my voice a bit more leveled now.

"It's fine. Bullet went through." Ghost replies curtly, but the tension in his posture says otherwise. "Not my first, and definitely won't be my last."

"You should be resting." I say, ignoring the hypocrisy of his statement.

"So should you, yet here we are." He counters, his eyes narrowing on me.

I huff, turning my head away to stare at the wall. He's impossible.

"Why did you stay?" I ask after a long pause, my voice quieter this time.

"Excuse me?"

"You stayed," I repeat, looking back at him. "Why? The others — where are they?"

"Out handling the fallout. Besides, someone had to make sure you didn't stop breathing while you were out cold." There's no teasing or sarcasm in his voice. He's serious, and the weight of his words settles heavily between us.