Chapter Text
The world around him was fairly calm, but livelier than the dream he awoke from. For a dream with vivid details, it was enough to leave him empty and hollow. Roach didn’t feel joy, sadness, or anger. He felt like a hollow shell in the waking world. Hell, he didn’t know if he should feel concern. All he knew is that the black void left Roach in his own darkness.
Well to be more specific, he was feeling shitting in the Pit.
Roach sighed and covered his eyes with both of his arms. Darkness return once more. The only difference was that Roach could sense everything else that his dream locked out.
The soldiers in the distance training for their next fight.
The drill sergeant finding excuses to yell at newbies.
The planes soaring the endless blue skies.
The dull pain in his back for sleeping on the ground.
The faint smell of BBQ from earlier in time.
The footsteps making their way over to his hidden spot.
‘. . . please. . . Just leave me be. . .’, Roach thought.
The soldier stood next him, but Roach didn’t bother to move. He hopes that whoever it was would consider leaving him alone. The last thing Roach wanted to do was explain, to whoever they were, why he was hiding away.
Honestly, Roach just wanted to get some peaceful sleep. Now he wanted to be left alone with his thoughts.
Roach didn’t mind shares his thoughts from time to time, but he was bother by his dream. The void force Roach to fill the hole with whatever thoughts he couldn’t make sense of. It was senseless thinking.
Unfortunately, the mysterious solider didn’t move.
‘So much for a well-hidden spot, Dunn,’ Roach sarcastically thought, ‘Time to face the music, I guess.’
Roach peaked from under his arms to see a dark silhouette figure standing over him. The only thing he could make out was that the figure is wearing a skull balaclava and dark red sunglasses.
Ghost.
Simon Riley.
Lieutenant Simon “Ghost” Riley. British special forces operator and member of Task Force 141.
Also, Roach’s good friend.
“Excuse me, mate. I’m looking for a peaky roach.” Ghost said as he crosses his arms over his chest.
Roach smiles and cover his eyes again. He made a light snore sound.
“Sorry, I meant moron.” Ghost sternly said, “If he thinks I believe his sleeping act."
“I swear I’m asleep, sir,” Roach mutter.
“Roach, get your arse up.” Ghost kicked Roach’s boots.
“I don’t wanna. Give me five more minutes,” Roach mutter as he turned away from Ghost. He feels a smile forming as mischief bubbles in his stomach and hope fills his chest.
Then he heard sighing and clothes shuffling before Roach felt a weight against his back. Ghost was leaning against him.
“Five minutes and don’t open your eyes,” Ghost whisper. Roach hum in reply.
The darkness was back, but the hollowness was nowhere near Roach’s thoughts. All he could sense was Ghost. He could hear his soft intake and outtake of breath. The warmth building between their backs as they lean on each other. Roach swears he could almost taste the clean, musky scent from Ghost. It was almost. . . intoxicating.
There was a quiet shuffle of cloth. It was probably Ghost looking at his mask again. It wasn’t often people look at Ghost without his mask, but then again, it wasn’t often Ghost looks at his own mask. Roach had the luxury to hold his mask though he never did see his face.
Roach would often wonder what Ghost look like. Was he a brunette? Blonde? Did he have black hair? Was it possible that Ghost had a hidden scar? Small? Large? Or does he have cute beauty marks sprinkled over his face?
Cute?
If Ghost showed his face, would he be considered cute? Would girls faint over his handsome features? Ghost is a badass, so however he looked, girls would probably overlook some of his features.
IF Ghost ever did have a fault. But Roach doubt girls would care about his faults since he is cool.
He may be quiet and reserve, but he can also be kind and caring in his own ways. He saved Roach on many accounts. Hell, the man gave him an extra magazine when they were both low on ammo. He may have killed many people with brute force, but whenever he treats Roach’s wounds. His hands are like butterflies. They’re soft and tender, and gone before you could notice.
Whoever wins Ghost’s affection better be worth gold because Roach would bet his own life that this man deserves the world. Even if by some bullshit reason, Ghost fell short of a woman’s expectations. If he truly loves her. Roach would do everything in his power to make the woman understand that this man is a treasure. She’s a total bitch if she didn’t see that. Fuck her.
“Roach, wake up.”
In an instant, Roach was thrown back to reality and opened his eyes. He was still facing the wooden pit wall. He felt something on his shoulder and from the corner of his eye it looks like Ghost’s hand. Roach closed his eyes.
“Mate, it’s fine. I put on my mask,” Ghost reassure him then extend his hand out to him. Roach grabbed his hand and lifted himself off the ground.
“How long was I out?” Roach yawned.
“Fifteen minutes,”
“I thought I had five?” Roach tilt his head in confusion.
“You did, but I figured you needed the sleep,” Ghost said as he reaches up to ruff Roach’s hair. Ghost let his hand linger on his head for a few seconds before he retracted his hand.
“Hmm, thank you, sir,” Roach smiles, “It’s good to know that you care.”
“Drop the formalities, Roach. You got your sleep so quit with the ‘sir’ bullshit. Next time, I should have Soap wake your lazy arse up,” Ghost remarked.
“I thought you were the nice one,” Roach chuckled.
“I ain’t nice, Roach,” Ghost whisper, “I’m anything but.” Ghost turn away from Roach and walk towards the gate. Roach reached out and put his hand on his shoulder. Ghost could have shrug it off, but he let Roach’s stop him.
“Yeah, well, not to me,” Roach gave him a gentle squeeze.
“Hmph, you really know how to turn a conversation around, don’t cha?” Ghost chuckled darkly.
“Simon, I won’t give you the opportunity to hurt yourself,” Roach whisper softly. Ghost turn his head to get a good look at Roach. Roach couldn’t tell what expression was given due to the mask, but he did let go of him. Then he immediately regrets his choice because Ghost started to laugh.
“God Roach, you should see the look on your face. I’ve never seen you look that serious before,” Ghost laughs. Roach smiles. “I’m sorry, mate, but it . . . it’s too good,” Ghost feels more laugher bubble in his chest.
“It’s fine,” Roach breathlessly said. He swears that his laughter is beautiful.
“But seriously mate, thank you. That means a lot that you care for me,” Roach nod his head and replace his hand on Ghost’s shoulder. If Roach kept his hand on his shoulder, would he have felt the laughter that shook Ghost. If Roach could hold Simon, would he be able to feel a part of his emotion? Would Ghost’s future lover feel all his emotions? Would they cherish his rare emotions?
Would Simon love them?
Roach retract his hand once more as he felt a bitter, hollowness in his stomach. It was like his dream, but it left a sore spot in his chest.
Roach clear his throat, “We should probably head back. I heard Meat and Worm might be dicks tonight. They’re bored again.”
“Great, the last thing we need is their pranks,” Ghost turn around and head out the door. Roach look at his hand, the same one that touch Ghost.
‘Simon, you’re my closest friend and you deserve everything good in the world.’ Roach silently thought to Ghost before he follows him.