Ghosts Broken Mask

13 - 'Rookie please!'

You stared at him, and he stared back. His hands slide up your hips to your waist, keeping a firm hold on you. Your eyes darted over his shoulder, unsure where to look.

"You're not a child Sarge, I shouldn't have to sit you on my lap for supervision - do I look like Santa to you?" He growled.

You glanced at him, eyes glazing across the features of his you could see or make out under his balaclava.

"Don't answer that" He said sharply with a glare, narrowing his eyes as you observed him. You shrugged and looked past his shoulder once more. Your arms swayed loosely by your sides, a little confused about where to put them. You watched as Ghost unbuckled his main belt before buckling it back up around you both.

....

The rotors had become a soft hum, the ears becoming used to the sound as the helicopter glided smoothly through the warm clear night. No weather or turbulence to make you worry. You had looked back at Ghost at one point, finding that he was asleep. It'd been around 5 hours and your fear refused to let you sleep.

...

Soothing songs from Ghosts Playlist came through the headphones and you sat completely still, trying to move as little as you could even when you had an itch. You felt obligated to stay still even more now that he was asleep. His chest moved in a rhythmic and steady beat as he slept. Slowly you began to feel more tired.

You'd doze off but wake up seconds later as your head would drop. You did feel tired, ever since earlier that day. It had left you exhausted, still unable to care. You didn't want to think but you had nothing to keep you from your thoughts.

It was infectious, spreading throughout your veins making your eyelids heavy. You shifted gently, trying not to wake Ghost as you leaned forward, your idea was you could lean against the seat behind him for support but even while sitting on his lap, it hurt your neck trying to crane it into the uncomfortable position over his shoulder.

You sighed, gently resting your head against his shoulder. Your head becoming too weighted for you to hold. You kept yourself up, not pressing against him. Trying not to get into his personal space or feel awkward in general about the position. Knowing that when you finally did doze off, your weight would be against him.

At least you could prevent it in the meantime. You thought climbing off but the belt around you both prevented that. You relaxed yourself slowly as your head got lighter. Your breathing becoming softer as your chest moved in time, you blinked slowly each time finding it harder to open your eyes.

You concentrated, the heavy sleep bags under your eyes feeling like they pressed into your skin. The way it felt so relaxing when you shut your eyelids. How your soft breathing through your nose was like a little hum the music softly inserting into the melody as your body grew sleepy.

You shut your eyes, one final last time before entering the void of sleep.

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You slept soundly but lightly, any sudden movements or noises woke you up. You were on edge, waiting for the worst to happen. Like an excited child unable to fully sleep because something is happening the next day expect; this was fear holding you. Trapping you in a cage and it wouldn't let you out until you were off the helicopter.

——————

While you slept, the ride was smooth. You didn't dream, just blank and black in your tired mind. Price had woken up, used to the short amount of sleep on missions, he was one to be prepared. Your mind had awoken a few times to hushed conversation, but you ignored it and went back to sleep.

You wondered how you could sleep so much and still be so tired. Maybe it was stress keeping your brain awake but your body asleep.

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