Chapter Text
Back on base, the debrief was short. Price ran through the mission details, but the aura of uneasiness remained. You kept your answers quick, and the second he dismissed the team, you slipped out, needing air...... hell, needing space.
Each time you died, there was a cost.... Even now, your bones still ached as they finished knitting back together, faint cracks echoing inside your skin. Your nerves hummed painfully, some still screaming with aftershocks as they reformed, your entire body sluggish and weak for a while after.
So you did what always seemed to help.. you walked. Past the motor pool, past the barracks, and toward the far side of the base where the noise faded into the background. You leaned against the cold metal fence, breathing deeply, as your eyes settled on the empty stretch of grass.
You hated being this way at times. This..... ability you had. This thing you never asked for. It felt like a curse rather than a gift.
"Wha' the fuck was tha'?" Simon called out, voice cutting straight to the point and pulling you back from your thoughts.
You briefly closed your eyes, bracing yourself before slowly turning to meet his gaze. He stood rigid, eyes burning slightly more red than its usual reddish-gold, and somehow you could just tell he was trying to hold back the anger bubbling up his chest.
"You saw." You quietly replied.
"Tha's not an answer."
You didn't flinch at the attitude he was giving you.. just stood there for a second wishing he wouldn't do this right now. "I can't die." You said. "Or... not for long. It's what I am."
"How?" He demanded.
You slightly shook your head. "I don't know what name you'd give it. I've been like this for a long time. Laswell brought me in because it makes me useful. Disposable." The last word came out heavier than you meant it, but it was the full truth. He didn't look away, but something dark and unsettling flickered in his eyes. Yet, he said nothing. So you took a breath, letting your voice soften. "There's something else you already know." He tensed, making you swallow and push past out the other truth. "I know you feel it too. That pull. That connection."
Silence.
He didn't move; didn't blink... just stared at you like he was trying to shove the words back into your mouth, before he shook his head once.
"No." The denial landed like a slap, harsh and cold. He straightened, arms crossing over his chest like he could physically hold himself together. "There's no such thing. Don't read into shit tha' isn't there."
The words sliced deeper than you expected, even though you'd seen them coming. You kept your expression calm and didn't push, instead nodding once and biting your bottom lip to stop the sting from forming..
"Alright." You whispered softly. You let him have it. Let him keep the distance; keep the walls. Even if everything inside you burned with the knowing better. "Night Ghost."
Then you turned, walking away before he could see the way it landed. And behind, you lightly felt him still standing there like he wanted to reach, but couldn't.
******************************************************
The next few mornings, the base felt different. You moved through with the usual routine—gear checks, briefings, paperwork—but you could just tell there was a change. The stares lingered longer, and conversations hushed when you passed. You knew why. It didn't take long after something like that for word to spread.
Laswell could keep it out of official channels, but there was always someone in personnel who had access to the reports. Someone curious enough to dig deeper, to check the files now marked with your name. And someone loose-lipped enough to share what they found.
By the time you crossed paths with Gaz and Soap near the armory, everyone on base practically knew, acting as if they were the ones who actually saw you die. Soap fell into step beside you like nothing was wrong, but you caught how his eyes kept darting toward your way.
Finally, after a few minutes, he cleared his throat. "So... ya really don't die, huh?"
You glanced at him, slightly arching a brow. Gaz walked on your other side, not saying anything yet, but his gaze was just as curious. You slowly exhaled, keeping your tone calm.
"No. I don't."
"Christ. Not sure if that's terrifyin' or impressive."
You faintly smiled. "Both, probably."
Gaz glanced over. "Laswell knew before bringing you in?"
"She's known for a while." You admitted. "It's why I'm here."
Neither of them asked how. Or why. But Soap gave you a sidelong look, grin tugging faintly at his mouth.
"Gotta say... ya've been takin' all of this madness better than most. Guess now we know why."
You chuckled under your breath. "Takes a lot to surprise me."
Both seemed content to let the rest settle in silence, and you appreciated that more than they knew. When your morning work was done, you hadn't planned to go to the mess hall because you usually didn't. There was no real reason to.. most of the food catered to vampire physiology, blood-based sustenance that never quite sat right with you. And god you hated eating the same bland shit they served for 'humans' everyday... so you preferred to eat alone and out of sight.
But when Soap nudged you after weapons drills, asking if you were joining them, you surprised yourself by agreeing. Maybe it was because him and Gaz hadn't treated you differently. Maybe it was because you were tired of the whispers. Either way, you followed them.
The second you stepped through the doors, the conversations dipped, heads turned, and everyone watched you openly, not even bothering to hide it. Some curious... some wary... and a few maybe even hostile. You ignored it, following the two sergeants to an empty table near the back.
"Well, at least they've got somethin' new to gossip about now." Soap teased.
Gaz huffed, trying not to smirk, and you almost smiled.... almost. But before the moment could pass, a familiar voice all but slithered over to you all.
"Didn't expect to see you here." Selene. Of course. She appeared beside the table, graceful as ever, smile polite but you knew it was fake. Her gaze flickered over you. "Guess everyone's talking. Didn't realize we had something... immortal walking among us."
Soap's expression tightened faintly, and Gaz said nothing, but brows furrowed.
"People love to talk." You said without so much as glancing at her.
She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "Funny. How some of us have to work to be here. But others... get to cheat the system." Her sentence meant to provoke, and try to see if she could get under your skin in front of the rest of them.
"Everyone's got something." You replied smoothly. "Mine just happens to be harder to get rid of."
She held your gaze a beat longer, before turning without another word. Soap let out a quiet breath as she walked away.
"Jesus. Don't know how ya stay so calm."
You didn't answer; didn't mention how your pulse ticked, and the heat simmered low beneath your skin.
At the far end of the room, Simon walked in, barely sparing a glance at the interaction before moving to sit alone. Like the distance was the only thing keeping him grounded. You felt your hand ball into a fist under the table as you caught his figure passing by before you focused back on Gaz and Soap.
******************************************************
The tension from the mess hall still lingered on to the next day, clinging to the corners of the base like smoke. Gaz and Soap caught up to you on the walk to the training field, both sliding into step without a word. In a way, you appreciated their subtle loyalty to hanging out with you and becoming friends more than you let on.
As you reached the field, you spotted Price already setting up for drills, and the other soldiers talking to each other about different topics. But the second your eyes peered down the line, you saw him. He hadn't said a word to you since the night you'd spoken by the fence... and yet, you felt the hum of that stupid bond.
Price barked orders, pairing everyone off. You stayed quiet and listened.... until he looked at you.
"You're with Ghost."
Goddamnit!
Your stomach tighten, and Soap gave you a faint side-eye like he wanted to say something but wisely kept his mouth shut, before walking over to the soldier he was paired up with. You crossed the area, coming to stand across from Simon. He didn't meet your eyes, and you fought hard not to roll yours at how stupid this was. The moment Price signaled, you moved.. fluid, controlled, and falling into rhythm.
But things were odd.... he wasn't sharp like typical. His strikes came fast but tense, and you could sense the restraint, like he was holding back so hard it burned. You blocked a hit and twisted out of reach, before you quietly spoke up.
"You're off."
For a heartbeat, he froze... but just like the lieutenant he was, he snapped back into the commanding presence. "Focus." He bit back, rougher than it needed to be.
You held his gaze. "I am."
He lunged again, movements almost too precise... and too controlled to the point of snapping. The others moved around you, oblivious to it all. But you could see how close he was to losing that iron grip he'd kept since the second you walked into his life.
After awhile, the drill ended as Price called a break, and Simon turned without so much a word of 'good job' or anything. Just walked toward the weapons rack, fists clenched at his sides. You stayed back, letting the others gather near the benches, as Soap tossed a towel over his shoulder.
"That was somethin'." He muttered, nodding toward Simon's retreating figure. "He's wound tight."
You wiped the sweat from your brow. "Yeah. I noticed."
But the fact was.... the more he tried to avoid the bond—deny the pull—the more it would hurt him. And it was only a matter of time before something gave way.