Code (anon/spec ops x reader)

Otherside

If you're sensitive to trauma please read with caution❤️

The riot geared guy drags riot up again bridal style and runs into the house setting him on the floor. He stops to lurk at tanks still body as the others worked on him, but eventually goes back to riot.

You rush in and peel off riots gear, you remove his helmet and mask. Sweat drenched his face and he only took small short breaths.

The guy pulls out a portable oxygen tank from his backpack and positions riot to lean against the wall as he slowly drew in more oxygen. The veins on his eyelids slowly dissipate as he takes deeper breathes.

Suddenly riot shakes awake swatting the oxygen from his face and gasping. He coughs several times and hunches over grasping his chest. You sit there, numb. Tears streaming down your face but you ceased to move. Riots ok, he's still alive. He's breathing.

"We're transporting him." Athena announces as scorpion scoops up tank and leaves the house.

"Hey man, are you good?" The guy puts a hand on riots shoulder.

Riot coughs, "alpha?" He inhales harshly. "Who called you what happened."

Alpha nods in your direction, "I followed your location, you were passed out. Pigs tried to suffocate you in some alley with gas." He starts to get up.

"I'm gunna escort the others, take care man." He walks out leaving the two of you.

The house is quiet, nothing but riots heavy breathing and the ringing in your ear.
Riot leans his head back against the wall, you grab his hand- he must've burned through his gloves trying to throw the canisters back.

"Y/n?"

"Hm?"

"Where's tank? Did you guys get out ok?"
His hand caresses your face.

You heart. It stops, no it skips a beat. Pain. Guilt. You're swallowed by shame.

Your voice shaky but you attempt to talk anyways, "I...i...I'm s-sorry."

"What do you mean?" His eyes are now open, you can't look at him. His touch burns on your skin like holy water on a sinner.

"He...he was trying to help me and...and I couldn't keep him safe." You break. Tears and your lungs hyperventilate. You shake, it isn't cold. Your muscles refuse to stay still, the explosion and crackling repeating in your head as you pull your knees in and sob. "Athena and scorpion are taking care of him."

Riot stays quiet, it was brief but in your broken haze it seemed like forever. He pulls you into a hug wincing as his burned hand grasps your shoulders tightly. You cry harder, he rests his head on yours. He too was trying to hold in tears, he made no noise but he struggled to breathe. He's in pain, and it wasn't just from the burning chemicals in his lungs.

You guys stay in that positions for a while, until you stopped crying and just sat in his embrace. You don't deserve this. You're the reason for all of this. If only you hadn't been sloppy and stood so close. If only it had been you that go-

"Y/n" his voice low in a whisper almost

You sit up, your body aches and everything feels heavy. "Im sorry, let's get you cleaned up." You say shuffling to your feet and helping him up. 

~~~

You help wash and drain each of riots dreads, you both stand in the shower in silence as the water washed away the grime of the day.

Just this morning, you were messing around with tank in the same exact place. What would've happened if you guys decided never to go to the protest? What if you never went in the first place and never met riot. What if you decided not to take the final that day.