Chapter 24: Ghost x Y/N
The atmosphere in the operations room was tense, punctuated by the hum of computers and the distant chatter of soldiers preparing for upcoming missions. Y/N, a tech specialist known for her sharp mind and fierce independence, sat hunched over her dual monitors, fingers flying over the keyboard. A familiar annoyance lingered in the air; on the front lines was Simon "Ghost" Riley, the brooding lieutenant of their task force, known for his intimidating presence and unwavering focus on the battlefield.
For Y/N, Ghost wasn't just a colleague; he was a rival. Back in high school, they constantly clashed — whether in the classroom or on the sports field, their competitive natures ensured a perpetual state of friction. Despite both of them maturing into their respective roles, the squabbles had persisted into adulthood, and it didn't help that their jobs often required them to collaborate. The two had developed a routine: snipe at each other and be ridiculously stubborn.
This week, however, had been particularly hectic. With back-to-back missions looming, the tension was palpable. Just as Y/N had hit a groove in her coding, she noticed one of her friends, Lilly, was missing from her desk. Concerned, Y/N discovered that Lilly had taken sick leave due to her menstrual cycle. It was just the kind of week where every hand was needed, so Y/N decided to pick up Lilly's workload along with her own.
As she sat up late, typing away, fatigue began to creep in, intertwining with cramping that made it difficult to concentrate. She could feel the restless discomfort knotting her abdomen, and she finally acknowledged that she was simply too worn out to continue. With a resigned sigh, she rebooted her computer and staggered to her bedroom, barely keeping her eyes open.
Hours later, Y/N jolted awake around 3 AM, a sticky sensation causing her to sit up in dread. Glancing down, she saw bright red stains splattered across her sheets. "Fantastic," she cursed under her breath, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. With the remnants of sleep still clinging to her, she dragged herself to the laundry room, muttering about how utterly inconvenient this was.
As she turned to grab some detergent, her heart nearly skipped a beat. Ghost stood leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, his expression a mix of confusion and annoyance. "What the hell are you doing up at this hour?" he questioned, his voice low and gravelly.
"Just...mind your business, Ghost," Y/N muttered, too tired to deal with his usual brand of sarcasm.
Before she knew it, he was on her, arm pinning her back against the washer. "You look like hell. What's going on?"
She squirmed beneath his unyielding grip, trying to assert her independence, but he held firm. That familiar spark igniting her defiance, she shouted, "I'm on my period! Happy!?"
The words hung in the air between them, shocking him into silence. Ghost's grip faltered, and he stumbled back a step, eyes wide behind his skull mask. "Oh. Uh… right. Sorry."
Feeling a strange mix of relief and embarrassment, Y/N took a breath as his presence backed off. As he began to walk away, she expected the customary jibe or dismissal, but instead, he returned just a few moments later. This time, he carried a steaming cup in one hand and a small box in the other.
"Here," he grumbled, thrusting them toward her. "Tea and chocolate. Thought you could use it." His tone was gruff, but there was undertone of sincerity that startled Y/N.
She hesitated before accepting them. "Thanks," she said softly, unsure how to process this unexpected shift in their usual dynamics.
With a small nod from Ghost, she turned back to her bedroom, trying to shake off the strangeness. Once inside, she found a surprising sight: her bed was made with fresh sheets, and next to it lay a warm blanket, a heating pad, more chocolate, and a box of pads.
Her heart swelled, confusion giving way to a warm glow inside. Ghost's gesture had crossed lines she hadn't anticipated, and for a moment, her cynicism waned. She picked up the heating pad and settled into bed, stifling a smile as she wrapped the blanket around her.
"Thanks, Ghost," she mumbled into the quiet of her room, feeling oddly grateful.
As she drifted back to sleep, she wondered if maybe, just maybe, some things could change.