#simonriley.exe

[toshidou]

He lets his eyes flutter closed, allows himself to indulge in all of the affection you provide him with, and though there's still that voice in the base of his skull screaming that he doesn't deserve it, he thinks maybe your words can drown it out.

Look at you, turnin' me into a sap. But I don't mind...

One of his large hands comes up to play with the ends of your hair, and he's still fascinated by how strong you are, how valiant you are, despite him giving you every reason to turn your back , your lips are leaving little traces of love on his face and he might be able to stay longer than he ever thought possible. If you'd allow him. If you'd like for him to. And he thinks that, maybe, you just might.

Listen, sweetheart, I don't trust easily. I'm kind of an asshole that way. So if we're gonna do this—be this—I need to be sure that you're in it. That this isn't just some short term thing to get your rocks off to. Because...

His voice waivers slightly, and his eyes pull down to the space between your bodies. Hesitance is a foreign thing to him, nearly as foreign as vulnerability, and he's still not quite sure how to hold it in his mouth. He tries to be delicate about it, but it comes out too rough, too crude. He hopes that you can see through it was well as you see through everything else about him.

Because I don't think I can handle short term. Not with you. Never with you.

-Simon "Ghost" Riley

His words coax a demure grin from my lips, a soft, sweet smile meant only for him. It's hopelessly endearing watching him learn to open up, like Bambi attempting to walk for the first time, helplessly clumsy but determined, with purpose. I take a hold of his hand from where it tangles amongst my hair and pull it down, until his fingers are pressed against the pulse point in my neck, the feeling of my stuttering heartbeat pulsing against his touch.

I can promise you wholeheartedly that the only 'short term' you will ever have to worry about in relation to me is my height. And even then I think that works in your favour a good 99% of the time.

I pause, fingers still pressing his against my neck, feeling strangely exposed and vulnerable at the prospect of him sensing every spike of my heart rate. But it feels like the only way to truly make him understand my sincerity, to make him feel the truth the body cannot disguise.

I'm not going anywhere. Not without you. Not now, or ever. I know there's no way to prove that to you, not yet, but I want to.

It takes a strength within me I wasn't aware I possessed to look him in the eye, knowing I was laid bare before him in a way I wasn't entirely used to.

Will you let me?

[toshidou]

He kisses you without warning, without hesitance, without giving himself enough time to think about it and let doubt root itself in his bones. He kisses you as though he can’t live without you, hands cupping your jaw to make sure that yes, you’re real and not something is mind created to torture him with and yes, you really are kissing him back. Simon kisses you as though you’re the first drop of water he’s tasted after he’s traveled through the desert for forty days and forty nights.

He pulls away after a moment, when he remembers that he has to breathe if he wants to keep kissing you, and rests his forehead against yours, his thumbs tracing your cheeks

I don’t know what the fuck I’ve done to deserve you, love, but I’m glad I did it.

- Simon “Ghost” Riley

My fingers are near trembling where they rest against his cheeks, my chest stuttering with each breath as it recovers from the feeling of his lips against mine. I don't let my eyes flutter open, instead keeping them closed as I bask in the moment, letting his words roll over through my still racing mind. After a short while, I let my eyelids open just enough to focus on his figure before me, tracing over blonde eyelashes and the adoring eyes that lay under them.

I'm the one who should be saying that, Si, fucking hell-

Unable to wait a second more, I reconnect my lips to his skin, this time pressing soft kisses against his cheeks, his forehead, the bridge of his nose, each one placed with a tenderness to help convey just what his presence means to me.

Thank you, Simon, for being here. For trusting me.

[toshidou]

I see someone is deciding to be a brat, eh? Am I gonna have to fix that?

- Simon “Ghost” Riley

(Note from the mod: I saw Casper’s distress signal and answered promptly. We will be taking a short break to ensure that you take care of yourself first and foremost 😌)

You.

You know what. FINE. You all win, I'll go to bed and deprive you of my fabulous presence. But I am now engaging Pout Mode, and there's nothing any of you can do about it.

[Mod this is never about you, you sweet, pure soul, I still adore you. Casper can go suck my ass tho. Fuck U Casper all my homies hate Casper]

[toshidou]

There’s a soft smile on his lips as he gazes down at you. Simon Riley looks love-stricken, doe-eyed and vulnerable, trembling hands reaching up to trace over your jawline. He’s scared and unsure of himself, but he’s not unsure of the way he feels about you and, looking at you now, he knows he never will be. He knows that no matter how things end, he’ll be happy that he got to be in your life at all. He closes the gap between you two, but still waits to kiss you, if only to drink in the expression on your face.

This ol’ ugly mug? Think you might be the only person to ever call me handsome before. You’re kind for trying to flatter me, though, sweetheart.

Then, slowly, tenderly, he moves his face so he can kiss your fingertips, his eyes never breaking contact with yours.

I want to kiss you. Can I? Is that… is that okay?

- Simon “Ghost” Riley

I roll my eyes fondly at the lingering self-deprecation, making a mental note to work on that another time as his hands settle on my face, subconsciously leaning into the heat of his palms against my skin. A shy smile tugs at my lips at both his words, and the feeling of his lips brushing the pads of my fingers. My gaze becomes lidded, but despite the flustered heat that singes every nerve ending, I don't let my eyes leave his.

You don't even have to ask, Simon, 'm all yours

[toshidou]

He chuckles, visibly relaxing, and places his hand over the one caressing his face. There’s a light shining in his eyes, something between adoration and fear, something that still causes him to hesitate despite the fire burning in his abdomen

The only time you’re a bloody idiot is when you get too excited to speak properly and end up jumbling all of your words together. But even then, I’d reckon you’re at your most beautiful

He tilts his head down the slightest bit and tightens his hold on your hand

Would you mind spoiling the mystery and taking off my mask? I’d really like to kiss you, sweetheart

- Simon “Ghost” Riley

My eyes widen, cheeks reddening as his words sink in to my shock-addled mind. With a slow now, I retract my hands from his and lift them to the base of his balaclava, hooking lightly shaking fingers under the material and giving it a hesitant pull before gently pulling upwards, guiding the mask carefully over his face. My eyes drink in each new feature revealed like a woman starved, until the hardened plastic and soft cloth lays limp in my hands, before being unceremoniously tossed behind me.

Well hello handsome,

I raise my hands once again, this time settling them either side of his jaw, tracing over light stubble and scarred skin and though it were something precious.

No wonder you wear a mask, you'd never be able to get anything done for people throwing themselves at your feet.

[toshidou]

He fidgets in his seat slightly, as if nervous. He still isn’t sure what to make of you, but he knows he enjoys being around you. Icy blue eyes rest on yours, and his adam’s apple bobs as he swallows down his sip along with the remainder of his anxiety

You do have excellent taste in liquor. It’s hard not to raid your stash just a tiny bit

Gently, he removes your hand from his cheek and holds it in his so he can put his drink back down on the table. Large fingers fiddle with yours, and though he doesn’t meet your gaze again, his voice holds a steady tone

It’s hard to explain. I don’t quite understand it myself. And maybe I’m just a selfish bastard who can’t take a bloody hint, but I feel…calm around you. Like I don’t have to play up Ghost and I can just be Simon. To be honest, I forgot Simon even existed before you became a regular thing in my life. And if you want me to leave you alone, I will. You can tell my sorry ass to fuck off and I will. But, if not… I’d like to stick around for a little bit. If that’s okay with you

- Simon “Ghost” Riley

I feel my heartbeat rise, eyes going soft as I take in his figure before me, from the foreign vulnerability in his gaze to the gentle touch of his hand in mine.

You should know me well enough by know to answer that question yourself, Simon. But just incase those pesky little insecurities are convincing you otherwise, of course I want you to stay. You will always be the man to me, never the solider, or the myth. So feel free to come here whenever you need the reminder, yeah?

I scoot forward until my knees bump his thigh, raising my hand until my fingers can curl around his chin. With a soft pull, I turn his head towards me, greeting him with a gentle smile.

I can practically hear your thoughts you're worrying so hard, Si, so let me make it clear. I'm not leaving until you finally get sick of me and kick me to the curb, and even then I'd still welcome you back with open arms. Call me "bloody idiot" all you want, but it doesn't change anything, least of all how much I care for you.

[toshidou]

Don’t get too cocky now. I might decide to test your theory about my bark versus my bite

He chuckles to himself and leans back on the couch, allowing himself to sink into the cushions, his arm dangerously close to your shoulders. He’s aware of it, but makes no move to move closer or move away

And here I thought you liked me for my amazing sense of humor

There’s a tinge of self-hate coloring his words, but he covers it up by sliding his mask up enough to take a sip of the drink you gave him

Look away, love, don’t want to spoil your mystery

- Simon “Ghost” Riley

Contrary to his words, my eyes don't stray from his profile, instead I shift on the couch, turning to face him

Satiate my curiosity for a second, would you?

I lean forward, resting my cheek onto my hand, keeping my gaze locked to his

Why'd you come here, Simon? I know it wasn't to raid my alcohol cupboard. Has something happened? Got something on your mind you wanted to share?

[toshidou]

Heh, funny, trouble and Soap do look a lot alike, now that you mention it…

He bumps one of his knees against yours and chuckles before reaching to grab his drink. He traces the rim of the glass thoughtfully, eyes steady on the drink. Then, without a warning, he turns towards you and straightens up enough so that the height difference between you two is glaringly obvious

If you’re so curious about my mask, why don’t you take it off then? Afraid I’m gonna chomp ya?

- Simon “Ghost” Riley

Oh, definitely not. I know for a fact your bark is worse than your bite, at least when it comes to people you're not trying to kill, so I should be safe, hmm?

I reach my hand up, hooking a finger under the bottom of his mask and giving it a gentle tug

I don't know though, I quite like the mystery. Some might even say it adds to your charm.