A cranium full of tea and coffee
Pairing: Simon 'Ghost' Riley x F!Cafe Reader
Synopsis: Ghost takes a trip to a cafe out of town and meets a curious young lady and bond over books.
Warnings: Fluff basically, slightly OOC Ghost.
Song inspo: Baba O' Riley - The Who, Asleep - The Smith, With You - AP Dhillon, Wise Enough - Lamb and Excuses - AP Dhillon
A/N: (Discovered AP Dhillon a few weeks ago, because I have a bad habit of listening to songs/bands I already know...) SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COFFEE SHOPS!!
(Reader is wearing glasses cos who doesn't love glasses...? Also I assume my reader is South Asian because there is a lack of South Asian representation for COD fanfics sorry not sorry)
MASTERLIST
It was quiet rainy Thursday afternoon in the the small town centre of Maidsfield. Ghost had the next seven days off and he was already bored out of his mind in his flat in London that he decided to take a train to a nearby town centre, Maidsfield, on the outskirts of London.
As he sat on the train he pulled out a book from his rucksack, flicking through the pages. His firm fingers ran over the bumps of the illustration on his new hardback copy of Stephen King's Salem's Lot.
Ghost hated the hustle and bustle of London cafes. All full of business folk, rushing in and out, talking too loudly on their mobiles, hosting noisy meetings next to him.
Office folk should stick to the office he remarked to himself the one and only time he went to a chain cafe in central London when a bunch suits sat next to him cackling over their espressos. When he looked up from his book he caught one the suits staring at him, giving him an odd look. Of course Ghost was wearing his signature skull balaclava, which often meant every day folks staring at him with odd looks.
Ghost returned the book in his backpack and sighed heavily, hitting his head back on the headrest of his seat. The carriage he sat in was virtually empty. He looked behind him as the train pulled to a stop and the other passenger got off. Ghost took this opportunity to go the toilet and switch from his regular skull balaclava to a black face mask the covered his nose and mouth, leaving the top of his head bare.
Before placing the mask on, Simon quickly brushed out his messy light brown hair so it was somewhat neat. He didn't wear any black paint today, partially because he forget his standard paint at base and also thought he'd give his skin a break today. Giving a final glance at himself in the small mirror he sighed again and raised his eyebrow at his reflection.
Simon left the toilet, and swung his backpack over his right shoulder, and stood by the doors as the train reached his stop. When the doors opened, he stepped out and pulled up his hoodie to combat the rain.
Walking out the station, Simon stood momentarily to the side. He realised he had to no idea where he was going in this new town. This was quite unusual for Simon, always a man prepared for anything and everything, especially on the battlefield. But this was not the battlefield. For the next seven days he had to acclimatise to civilian life.
Coffee shop sprung into his mind at last, and he walked down the road past various hurrying from shop to shop, trying to shield themselves from the onslaught of rain that came battering down.
Simon didn't mind the rain, he was strangely comforting to him, but as it became heavier he soon realised he had to find refuge in a warm cafe.
A chain coffee shop was just on his right, Simon glanced into the shop and saw that it was very busy, partially full of suits.
Fuck chain coffee shops he thought and walked on down further into the town. Simon was determined to find a small cafe that was not too busy.
Turning right down a small alleyway, Simon walked down the cobblestones pathway and noticed a coffee shop that drew him in instantly, Cerebrum Coffee Potions, which had a logo underneath of a white skull with a snake wrapped around the base.
Simon walked in and saw that it was virtually empty
"Afternoon!" Said the lady behind the counter who working behind the coffee machine
"Afternoo'" Simon said, shaking off the rain that drenched his jacket.
He noticed on the side a winding staircase that led upstairs. He took in the cafe, the various gothic art in black frames and antique tables and chairs adorned the bottom floor.
"Bit wet outside?" The lady said laughing slightly at Simon's drenched jacket and hood that covered his damp hair.
"Just a bit" Simon said, forcing a chuckle moving over to the till, gazing at the menu behind.
"What can I get you?" the lady said wiping her hands on her apron.
"Tea, Earl Grey please" He said and the lady typed away on the tablet. Simon gazed again at the winding staircase.
"There's space upstairs if you'd life" The lady said, noticing Simon's wondering eyes.
"Cheers" He said, returning to look at the total amount on the card machine.
"That's £2.30 please" She said, Simon pulled out his card and tapped it against the machine.
"Wonderful, I'll bring it up to" She said
"Thanks" Simon said, and made his way up the staircase, the walls were also decorated with more artwork of various skulls, both human and animal, woven with flowers or snakes.
As Simon reached the first floor, he noticed a younger woman, wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans with bright pink boots, sitting in the corner typing away on her laptop. Tortoise shell glasses framed your face that moved as your scrunched your nose. You looked up at Simon, who moved to the table in the opposite corner.
You smiled briefly as you locked eyes with him, Simon nodded back as he took a seat. Returning to typing, Simon pulled out his book and placed it on the table as he took his wet jacket off and placed it on the chair next time.
His eyes wondered at the antique coffee machine opposite him, serving as a condiment table. So far, he felt comfortable and relaxed compared to the chain coffee shops that had previously been in.
The barista came up the stairs holding a tray and placed it on the table where Simon sat.
"Anything else I can get you?" She asked him
"No, all good thanks" Simon said, moving the tray close to him and taking the black teapot, white teacup and saucer off and setting it to the side.
The barista smiled and walked over to the other lady in the corner.
"R/n, how's the report going?" She asked
You looked up with a disappointed look, pouting your full lips at the barista.
"Awful Jane" You sighed "Only so many times I can say experiment didn't work out well due to lack of time" You continued
"Awh, well I'm sure your supervisor will understand" Jane replied giving a smile.
"Hmm, hope so" You said smiling before returning to her laptop.
Simon watched as the barista walked back down the winding stairs, before pouring his tea in the cup, where he noticed there was also a skull embossed in black on the side.
I like this place so far Simon thought to himself as he poured the tea into his cup, placing one sugar cube, taking the vintage spoon stirring the hot dark amber liquid before adding a dash of milk.
He gazed at the lady in the corner again, who was making funny faces at her laptop as she typed with fervor, leaning closer and closer to her screen.
After he was sure that she wouldn't look, Simon took off his mask and took a sip of his tea. The taste of bergamont slid over his tongue, mixed with the sweetness of sugar. The warmth soothed his cold shoulders as he took another sip.
"Ahhh" Simon moaned aloud, he looked up briefly to see if you had noticed, yet you were still typing away, one eyebrow raised and only inches away from the screen of your laptop. Stopping momentarily, you rest your head on your left hand, with your pinky finger you slide your glasses up your nose bridge.
A part of him wanted to say 'Any closer and you'd be in your laptop' but he held his tongue. He opened his book and began re-reading the first chapter of his new hardback.
You sighed heavily and withdrew from your laptop, you leant so far back that your head hit the white brick wall behind you. Your skull bounced softly. Confusion struck you. You hit your head again on the white brick wall, and your skull bounced again.
Simon looked up curiously as you repeated the move, eyes bewildered as you knocked your head again.
Why is the wall so soft? You thought, whacking your head a bit harder this time, and then repeated the motion a few more times, staring blankly at the red walls in front of you. Withdrawing your hands from the keyboard of the laptop you touch the brick wall, as you pressed against it, felt it was soft slightly.
Of course it's a fake brick wall... You conclude, bouncing your skull again. You look over at the man in the corner, who was staring at you with his bright blue eyes in confusion. Your eyes widened as you realised you were not alone... The man in the corner had locked his eyes on you, you noticed his
"Ah sorry" You laugh nervously "It's a fake brick wall" you add smiling at him and touching and pointing to the wall behind you.
Simon was taken aback by that smile, that showed dimples in your cheeks.
"S'alrigh'" He said before returning to his book, smiling under his mask. Returning his focus back to the book, but his eyes flickered back to you.
Picking up the cup, Simon took another sip, taking pleasure in the sweet hot tea, he turned the pages of his book, fingers tracing the edges of the next page as he read on.
You got up from your table and went downstairs, grabbing another coffee from Jane. As you made you way up the stairs, you noticed that the man was reading a Stephen King book from the bold font on the spine.
"Stephen King fan huh?" You blurt as you caught eyes with the man again.
Simon cleared his throat "Yeah" he said closing the book, showing the cover.
"Salem's Lot!" You say grinning at him "I like Carrie, got a signed copy when he came into town last year at Page Stoner"
Simon leaned back in his chair, wonder captivated him.
Finally, someone who also likes Stephen King he thought, reminiscing the time he tried to get Johnny to read this book, but refused stating he hated anything to do with horror.
"Carrie is a good one" he said moving his hand from the table and resting it on the edge of the empty wooden chair next to him.
"Did you go to Page Stoner to see him?" You asked, taking a sip of coffee, still standing near his table.
Simon was confused, Page Stoner?
"Ergh no, I'm not from here" He said
"Ahhh" You sigh, "Where do you hail from then?"
"London" Simon said, not telling the whole truth "Wanna sit down?" He added motioning to the chair opposite him.
"Sure" You said smiling, setting down your coffee on his table "Let me just pack my things" You said, realising that you left your stuff unattended.
Simon watch you sit in the chair opposite, taking another sip of coffee.
"What's your name?" You ask
"Simon" He replied
"Nice, I'm R/n" you say, smiling again brightly
"Nice to meet you R/n" Simon said, admiring the dimples in your cheeks.
"So what do you do for a living?" You ask
Simon looked down at his half empty cup. He knew this was dangerous territory and didn't want to give too much away.
"Army" He said, blue eyes meeting yours.
"Ahh, Royal Marine?" You guess, judging by his muscular and tall build.
"Can't say" He murmured, taking his mask off, so he could take another sip of his tea.
"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to pry" You said, looking down at your cup of coffee, briefly looking at his face, you saw a glimpse of several scars over his lower jaw and over his nose.
"It's okay" Simon replied "How about you?" He asked placing his mask back on.
"Student, studying a masters in chemistry at UCL" you say "But I live here, commute to university"
"Nice" Simon said, looking down at his cup, observing you as you took another sip.
"How's your tea?" You ask
"Best Early grey I've had" Simon chuckled, tapping the edge of his cup with his right hand.
"This coffee shop is great. Better than those shitty chain stores"
"Indeed" Simon agreed with you.
"You like any other Stephen King books?" He asked, clearing his throat again.
"Yeah, I love IT and The Shining" You say, remembering you had a copy of The Shining in your bag, pulling it out to show Simon.
Simon took ahold of the book, flicking through the worn pages, clearly read many times.
"Didn't get this signed then?" He said, opening the first page of the book.
"Nah, was only allowed to get one copy signed..." You said remembering the look on Stephen King's face when you brought five of his books with you to the signing.
"Did you try and get more than one book signed?" Simon asked, grinning under his mask.
"Yeah..." You said, guilt flooded your face, cheeks turning slightly pink.
The rain outside pounded against the window where they sat, you look out, eyes trailing the raindrops running down the glass. Thunder bellowed outside. Perfect weather to be inside.
"Good thing you settled with Carrie" He said, setting his eyes again on you.
"Hmm" You smile in agreement
"I haven't read The Shining..." Simon started, staring back down at your copy, running his forefinger against the creases of the worn spine.
A grin appeared on your face as your eyes met. Simon saw your deep doe eyes glisten slightly.
Was this guy flirting..? You ponder,
"I haven't read Salem's Lot.." You replied, grinning mischievously.
"Want to do a swap?" Simon suggested
What are you doin'? A little voice spoke up in his head
"I'd love to" You say beaming at him.
Simon took in your big smile, that it made your dimples even deeper which caused a warmth to spread across his chest.
"Any chance you have a pen?" He said without thinking
Don't do it the little voice whispered again in his head
"Sure" You say, reaching for you rucksack, and taking out a pen from the outside pocket and handing it to Simon.
Simon grabbed a clean napkin from the tray and wrote his number down, his fingers went numb slightly as he hurriedly finished the last four digits.
"If you're in London the next few days, we should meet up" He said, handing the napkin over to you.
Taking the napkin, you fingers graze his for a moment, Simon ran his fingers against yours, a sharp zing simmered from his fingertips, up his arm to his chest, he quickly retracted his hand before temptation grew to hold your hand in its entirety.
The stairs creaked as Jane the barista came up, stopping just at the top.
"Sorry, guys, I'm about to close" She said
"Ah shit, it's 4:30 already?" You say bewildered checking your watch.
"Yep, times flies eh!" Jane said as she made her way back down.
Both you and Simon began to pack your belongings, Simon handed Salem's Lot over to you, and he placed your copy of The Shining in his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"You heading home now?" You ask
"Yeah, train station actually." He replied
You nod at him and then peer out the window, it was still raining. You notice his jacket was slightly damp still. Your heart fluttered a bit, as you thought about offering to walk with him... He seemed so enticing and it was actually great to meet another avid reader of Stephen King.
Pulling out an umbrella from your backpack you hold out to Simon
"Think you might need this" laughing slightly as you motion to his damp jacket with the umbrella
Simon chuckled and moved closer to you, peering down at your slim frame and then looked out at the ever persistent rain outside.
"Think we both need it" He said raising his left eyebrow and then motioned with his head.
"Guess we'll have to share it then" You say smiling
"I'd like that" Simon said, gesturing you to go first down the stairs.
Once outside, you opened the umbrella, Simon took ahold of it, placing his hand briefly on your back as you both walked away from the coffee shop. You were quite surprised at how tall he actually was when you stood beside him. Together you walked down the wet cobblestones towards the train station.
Simon looked down at you and smiled under his mask. Today, he was grateful that he hated chain coffee shops, because it meant he met someone sweet like you.
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