Promptober 2024! [Simon 'Ghost' Riley x fem!reader]

(NSFW) (wet dream)

Insomnia. Simon's worst enemy yet most trusted companion of many years. The skull mask he always wore, apart from the various other functions it was useful for, it also helped to cover the deep dark circles and puffy eyebags. Mind plagued by horrible reminisces, regrets, thoughts of what he could've done better to change the outcome of his tragedy-ridden life: horrors buried deep within threatened to make their appearance whenever he closed his eyes. All he could hope for were short, one, two-hours long naps scattered throughout the day, overworking himself with either paperwork or in the gym until he collapsed on the bed and managed to give way to his exhaustion, which granted him a dreamless sleep.

Sometimes, you would share a cigarette with your Lieutenant during the silent hours of the night, sharing a similar disease, painful memories coming back to the surface, ridding you of the very much needed rest that helped your body get through the hard job that was being a part of an elite Task Force. Either of you rarely talked, preferring the comfortable silence that enveloped you like a glass dome, scared it would shatter if the wrong word came out, destroying the established peace.

This night was different, though. Pushing the heavy metal door open, you let your breath create a small cloud of condensation and float up in the empty night. Stuffing your cold hands in the pockets of your puffer jacket, you made your way down the stairs, where Simon already sat, turned around on one side so he could lean back against the wall. He still had to bend his legs a bit, limbs so long they would hang off the edge of the step. You occupied the step above his, on the opposite side, so you could lay back against the metal railing. He was already smoking, the ember tip of his cigarette glowing a bright cherry red in the darkness, only a tired bulb on the wall providing a dim yellow halo around you.

He nodded his head in greeting when you were fully settled, and you replied with the same gesture, fetching the pack of cigarette and lighter from your pocket. As the white stick limply hung between your lips, you struggled with your lighter, thumb vigorously working the metal roller but nothing other than sad sparks came out. "Fuck." You cursed under your breath, groaning as you tapped the bottom of the lighter on the step, to no avail. "Here, let me." His gravelly voice broke into the night as he slightly came forward, extending his arm. You did the same, expecting him to give it to you so you could do it yourself, but he gently pushed away your hand with his, then proceeded to light your cigarette, a lively flame dancing in front of your eyes for all of two seconds.

You murmured a soft "thank you", then silence fell between the two of you again. Simon was already on his second cigarette when you stubbed yours onto the metal railing. "Hey, Lt., I just remembered I had something for you." You suddenly spoke up, making his eyes snap to you, watching with silent curiosity as you rummaged through the pockets of your jacket once again. You successfully retrieved a small bottle, and he saw something that looked like purple gummies dance inside the plastic cylinder as you gently rattled it. "It's melatonin gummies," you eventually explained. "I know many people say it's bullshit, and I actually shared the same belief, until I tried them. They're not as potent as sleeping pills, of course, but after an exhausting day, I pop two of these bad boys twenty minutes before I lie down, and I'm out cold."

You threw the bottle towards him, and Simon effortlessly caught it with one hand. "You're out cold, huh?" He asked, the fabric of his balaclava wrinkling on his forehead, signalling his brows were most likely furrowed with scepticism. He never removed his mask, not even during moments of tranquillity like these, only rolling it up so it would rest on the bridge of his nose and allow him to smoke. "Never trusted holistic bullshit," he commented gruffly. "But for the sake of it, I'll try them. Worst that can happen anyway is that I won't sleep. Thank you, Sergeant." Your lips curled up in a victorious smile when you saw him but the bottle in his pocket.