#might be working on adding our los vaqueros bois

[hallo-anon]

I say this nicely and with love. HOW DARE YOU GET ME HYPERFIXATED ON A BAND AU THAT HAS ALMOST NO CONTENT! again this is not a bad thing. I love the idea -Sune Anon

I DID THIS FOR YOU!!!!

141!College/Band Au Part 3

C/W: one mention of abu$e

Since part 2, I've been working on Alex and Farah, so there here now.

Here are my totally original ideas on how everyone knows each other

Quick note, I am American, so that'll be the system I'll be using. This will also probably be very confusing but this is how my brain works, enjoy!

Gary and Simon have known each other the longest. They met when Simon was 7 and Gary was 9. I haven't figured out the whole story yet, but it's in the making!

Then Simon met Price. Price and Simon’s father were friends. QUICK NOTE, most abu$!ve people are extremely manipulative. Price had no idea what Simon's father was doing. When Simon was 10, his father was investigated and arrested. Price then fostered Simon, going on to adopt him when he was 13. So original, I know.

Now here’s my best at making this chronological…

Going a little back in time, Kyle met Alex in highschool. Kyle was 16 and Alex was 18(Simon would’ve been 12). I don’t know if y’all's schools did this, but we would do collaborative projects with higher grades. During a science collab, Alex and Kyle were paired, and Alex was pleasantly surprised when he seemed to get the only competent student in the class.

In the same highschool is where Ghost, getting his nickname in 9th grade, met Kyle. Ghost was 14 and Kyle was 18. They met in band class, and Kyle took it upon himself to protect the odd freshman who always wears a face mask. Kyle and Roach, getting his nickname in 10th grade, were pretty much bound to meet,  Ghost rarely went anywhere without Roach. Roach was already in the highschool guard, so he knew of Kyle and Kyle knew of him, but this is how they actually met.

When Simon was 16, he was introduced to Nik. A year later, Price and Nik got married. That's how Simon met Laswell, who is actually the dean of the college. Funnily enough, Nik only goes by Nik and not Coach Price or something with his last name. Almost none of the students know their married. In fact Ghost is the only one that knows.

Now we’re moving into college. Sharing a public speaking class, Gaz, getting his nickname sophomore year, met Farah, who goes by Karim. Karim actually has no requirement for the class, but she had dreamed of trying to change to world for the better. Gaz would help Karim in perfecting her English. Kyle then introduced Karim to Alex, who was in an Arabic class. The two now study together, Karim helping Alex with his Arabic, and Alex helping Karim in her English. Shipping potential???

Kyle met Soap, given his name back in 10th grade, in their shared chemistry class. They knew of each other because of band, but here is how they fully met. It’s actually a funny story. Gaz, a criminal justice major, accidentally enrolled in the advanced chemistry class. When he saw a familiar face, he very quickly asked for help. I believe the words “Fuck, shit, fuck, shit, help me.” were said. Now Gaz, Soap, and Roach, being in a medical lab tech program, study chemistry together. Roach and Kyle then start studying biology and forensics together.

Next was Soap and Ghost. Ghost is a psychology major who was forced to take a math class for credits. He’s not really known for his math skills, so Gaz thought it was a good idea to introduce Ghost and Soap to try and help Ghost. It did not work. Ghost was too shy too proud to ask for help. But, it just so happened that Soap needed help in his literature class, and him being much more sociable, asked Ghost for help. Soap invited him to his and Alex’s, being a linguistics major, study group, and by the insistence of Roach, Ghost joined. Ghost never really talked, just sat there quietly and marked important notes and mistakes. This lead to Ghost joining Soap’s math study group with Roach and Karim, an engineering major. That’s how Ghost and Karim met, and they bonded quickly for Ghost standards. Ghost, once again, never really talked much, just listened and took notes.

Ghost and Soap actually became closer through the campus coffee shop. Each would stop by and one time, they synced. Ever since then, Soap would chat with him in the mornings even if Ghost didn't chat back, and sometimes give him one on one tutoring. That's how Soap found out that Ghost was just embarrassed and not an asshole.

Just to make everything clear: 

Ghost is a psychology major totally not to become a therapist to help other not go through what he did all alone and is the youngest(19) and has been in college for 2 years. He graduated early. He only goes by Ghost and barley anyone knows his actual name. He plays percussion, mainly the drums.

Soap is a chemistry major and is the second youngest(21) and is 3 years in. He also graduated early, but he took a gap year. Everyone just knows him as Soap, so he just accepted it. He is the color guard captain.

Roach is enrolled in a med lab tech program and is the same age as Soap(21). He is also in his 3rd year. He prefers Roach rather than Gary, so everyone calls him Roach. He is in the color guard.

Kyle is a criminal justice major and is 23 and has been attending for 3 years. He went to a community college for 2 years first. Kyle is half and half on Gaz, that's why I switch between Gaz and Kyle. He plays the french horn.

Karim is an engineering major and is the second oldest(24) and has been attending for 2 years. She is a transfer student from Urzikstan and had gone to college for 2 years there. Unfortunately, her credits did not transfer. She just goes by Karim. She's in the campus's Track and Field team.

Alex is a linguistics major and is the oldest(25) and is 1 year in. Before he enrolled, he served the US Military for 5 years. He doesn't have a nickname except the obvious ones, like Gimpy, Pegleg, shit like that. He's one the campus basketball team. It took a while for his teammates to trust his ability to play due to his prosthetic leg.

Price is the band director, but he also teaches Arabic, political science, and tutors Russian totally not just to be in Nik's classroom. He goes by Mr. Price, and is a retired veteran. Little head canon, any time he makes a joke, a student always says "Priceless".

Nik coaches the color guard, but he also teaches Russian, aviation and aerodynamics, and aerospace engineering. No one really knows what he did before he started teaching. He's has multiple rumors about what he's done, almost becoming the campus cryptid.

[ladyelissarose]

‘A Mother’s Revenge’

Chapter 11 - ‘Ghosts’

Warmings; nothing too serious… call of duty stuff yk.. enjoy :)

Alejandro’s POV

After Price had saved us, he took us back to my other hideout, where I had the rest of my team and soldiers working around that needed shelter and backup. I still couldn’t believe we were saved, I had doubts on how we were going to get out, but I’m glad that we’re now safe and landing on my land.

‘Home sweet home… now we’re on to the next-‘

“We’re here boys, let’s head down- Colonel?”

Price had turned to me ushering me to lead the way, so I did confidently,

“Alright hermanos, Meli… let’s go inside… follow me.”

Attentively they did, though I saw how Ghost eyed every corner and place his eyes could reach, he was the ever so vigilant and untrusting of every place.

‘Que fatasma.. quite the character Ghost.’

Couldn’t blame him though, he’s had it tough with everyone, always being betrayed and falling into the cracks of everyone’s mistakes and taking the hit for it. I now understood how he felt, after Graves pulled his stunt with us.

It still angered me, the problems he had caused and how we are set back a bit from schedule and plans. As I approached the door I prepared myself mentally to here the plan Price and I had made, I hoped a lot of them men agreed to this, and cooperated.

Though most of us were sick of the traps and needed a trusting team to get the good done without any betrayers and mishaps. Time was running thin and Hassan had it in his wicked hands for now, meaning we needed to take it back before he set the clock off. With a grunt I pushed the heavy wooden doors opened, I didn’t waste another second before I growled to my men after a whistle, calling for their attention,

“Hey Vaqueros!! Ponen atención!!”

This shit was about to get real.

‘Y me cansé de la mierda... hagámoslo bien.’

Let’s do this right or go to hell..

Ghost’s POV

Price began to speak loud and clear what our plans were, which was taking back our HQ and killing Graves, I felt it was the right thing to do… he screwed us all up and our plan anyways. He had commented to me what was up next for us to move on, and I was damn ready to proceed.

I didn’t feel exhausted or angry, needing to rest and take a day- no no… I felt hungry for revenge and was ready to take what was ours. Speaking of revenge, it reminded me of Meli, who stood right next to my hip at the sight of all these men around us, she looked hesitant but her chin was held up high after I told her to not look down.

Back in the heli I had asked her about what she thought about getting Graves then Hassan, I was nervous that’s she might not want that as she had been targeting Hassan mostly. But thankfully she confirmed that taking Graves down was her main interest as of now… sense he hurt her and us. It made me warm at the thought of her caring for us, when at first we were the last interest on her mind.

‘How people change huh?’

My attention was then averted to Price when he added,

“We are not 141 and Los Vaqueros on this… we’re a team-“

I then grabbed the bag I had handed to Meli to hold and I dispensed what I had in it onto the table as Price ended with,

“Ghost team.”

I took a deep breath as I was ready for the next… I have been preparing my entire life for this moment… taking off my mask. It exposes everything of me, but it’s who I am, and the people that truly protect and save me, should know the face of who it is they’re saving every time. I sucked in a breath as I got the bottom of my balaclava and slid it off completely, revealing me.

‘Here goes nothing..’

Meli’s POV

‘What’s he- oh my god...’

Who would’ve ever thought that the cold killer behind a Grim Reaper mask was actually the whitest and most beautiful jewel ever? He was definitely a diamond in the rough, scars and all.. edges that could cut deep and yet… he shined so bright.

A purple bruise decorated his left eye, but it didn’t hold me back from admiring his hazel eyes, behind his blondish lashes.. it didn’t take much for me to admit.. that Simon Riley was a beautiful man.

But my heart ached at the dry bloody nose he had and the other bruises that rested along his sharp jawline. And it broke me even more to know I did that to him, when we fought back in Las Almas. I didn’t deserve to see him, after sorta betraying and hurting him… Simon deserved much more and better than me for sure.

I know he’s lived a tough life, the scars and his harsh ways speak it clearly. My eyes no longer looked at him as I averted my gaze to the floor, not wanting to see the damage I caused him as he had tried to save me.

‘I’m sorry for making your already hurt face more hurt… I didn’t mean to-‘

“It’s alright Meli… we’re a team now.”

A soft gasp escaped my lips as I felt a warm shock, Simon’s uncovered hand had enveloped mine tightly, while he spoke those words to me lowly. He tugged on my hand and I took a quick glance at him, but his small, genuine smile of assurance had me locking my sight on him, as he added,

“Ghost team.”

I felt confident to squeeze his hand back as Price spoke out to him,

“Good to see you again Simon.”

Simon let his eyes rest on Price for a moment as he nodded slowly, he seemed to be very pleased with himself as well as his gaze had softened. I turned to look at all the masks that laid out before us, and before I could assume what they were for, Price informed,

“If you’re in, take a mask.. if you’re not- don’t.”

‘Fuck yeah I’m in.’

I didn’t waste another second before reaching for one, I was in 100%.

‘This is what I came for..’

Soap’s POV

‘Guess the Brit is pretty after all.’

A smirk made it onto my lips as I gazed at Simon for the short while he had his face uncovered. He was quite the sight to behold, I never doubted it, but I couldn’t picture it right… but now I can. I felt brave and noble as I pulled a mask towards me to slip it on. Pride swarmed in me at the thought that these were Simon Riley’s masks… Ghost’s masks.

‘Mmmm… now I’m a Ghost.’

Once I had slipped it on, I instinctively looked at Ghost for approval, at first his eyes were on Meli as she fit hers on, he stared at her intently as she fixed her hair to be inside it, he even extended a hand to help her fix it right at her eyes when he saw she wasn’t getting it right on the spot.

It made me giggle to see this killer be so gentle with a woman, especially Meli when he wasn’t so fond of her at first.

‘How people change huh Simon? Now when is it my turn?’

I guess he felt me starin’ at him and perhaps hearing my jealous thoughts of wanting his attention. He suddenly turned to me, giving a wink my way and nodding.

Approval. I’ve never felt more better than now, my dude points were back at a high level now, getting shot back there was long forgotten as I wore the mask of a legend.. and had a new team name.. Ghost Team.

Now we all awaited in place, for Ale to give us our next orders as he went on to say,

“We will lie in wait till we hear news on where he might possibly be. It won’t take longer than a few hours hermanos, I know we want to take him down as fast as possible. But for now, take shelter and rest here, you’re going to need it.”

Price agreed as he lastly said,

“Please boys, get what you need, rest or hydrate- check your amo and wounds.”

We all replied in sync and began to go our separate ways. I knew I wanted a good shower and a clean tending to my arm, so I quickly went to Ghost as I put forth,

“I’ll be at showers mate, let me know if they get a trace and are ready to head out.”

Simon patted my shoulder,

“I will Johnny, go on… mask fits ya Scot.”

He pointed to my face with bright eyes and I was grateful my blushed face was covered, I could only muster out,

“Thanks LT..”

He sent me a last nod and I pat Meli’s cheek before walking off. I was hoping to get a good refreshment in and rest… cause Ale was right.. we were going to need it.

Meli’s POV

I knew I needed a shower, but I wanted to rest my head for a bit.. I was feeling emotional for some reason all of a sudden.

The back of my eyes burned and my lungs felt like they were trembling with every breath I took. A heavy weight rested on my shoulders and a cold shudder came onto me, spreading all over and making me feel sick. My mind tried to fight what I felt,

‘Just take a deep breath… you’re ok. You’re safe and getting closer to the end of it.. it’s ok… just breathe..’

I don’t know how long I had been standing still after I said goodbye to Soap when I felt Ghost tug on my arm and ask,

“Hey? You alright Meli?”

I shook a bit and blinked twice before replying to the floor, as I refused to look at him, knowing that if I did, I’d cry.

“y-yeah… I’m fine-“

“Melione. Look at me.”

He tried to reach for my chin but I pulled away, the air constricting in my throat as the dam of emotions in me was starting to break in me. I felt emotional about everything but couldn’t pin point it specifically, and I didn’t want to break in front of him.

So I darted to the doors without saying another word, I could hear him calling out after me, but it was silenced once I was outside the doors. My sudden anguish suffocated me and I was desperate for air,

‘I want to cry so bad… scream and fight.. just lose it… I want to be held.’

Ghost’s POV

“Meli!! Melione!? Wait-“

‘What happened?!?’

Had it been any other time in my past, or any other person… I would’ve let them run away.. let them deal with their emotions on their own, like I always did. But with Meli? I couldn’t… I wanted to be by her side, through good and all, and I refused to let her sit in her own pain. And I was a strong man, I could take whatever she wanted to give. So out the door I went, regardless of who she was on the other side of it, broken or whole, angry or happy… I didn’t care anymore.

‘I’m coming Meli..’

I pushed the doors wide and walked out, feeling the soft rain of the evening hit my mask and it’s fresh scent embrace me fully. I had missed days like these, they were sometimes the only good thing in my life at the time, as this weather was my favorite. My eyes darted everywhere, as I searched- but it didn’t take long to see the figure ahead of me, looking so small as they embraced themselves. My heart clenched as I could see their shoulders shake a bit, I knew they were crying… I knew Melione was crying.

‘Aw Meli… I know. But.. what do I say? Are you ok- no… do you need something- no noo… fuck. I’ve never done this before. But I want to.. for her. I’ll just-‘

She was quite a good 6 feet away from me, getting slowly soaked in the rain, I took a deep breath and called out to her loudly, but trying to hold a nice tone to it, to not scare her.

“Melione?”

I clearly heard her let out a low sob of words,

“S-Simon?”

I sighed in relief of who knows what- maybe that she answered back? I called out again, as I didn’t know what to say again,

“Melione-“

“I’m so sad.. I-I don’t know wh-why. I-I was just fine in the heli but n-now?”

‘Because it’s been a lot Meli… this is all new and traumatizing for you… you let your anger out already.. now it’s the sadness of it all Meli…’

I could’ve said those words to her, but it would’ve been gibberish instead, because I’ve never spoken my heart out. So instead, I extended my arms out? That’s how a big works right?

‘Why do I feel so scared? Just.. go on with it.’

“I know Meli… c’mere.”

It took a few silence seconds before her head turned to the side, then her body followed until she was facing me, still hugging her body tightly. Her mask was in her hand and her hair covered her face, sticking to it cause of the rain, but I could make out her red eyes and pink cheeks.

I extended my hands further to her, closing and opening my hands, signaling her to come closer. Her face scrunched up a bit as she let out a soft sob and wiped her eyes, she was tired.. of everything. I waited patiently, not wanting to move until she gave the go for me or moved herself, and I knew I’d wait all night for her, in the rain, dark and all.

Slowly, she lifted on foot and stepped forward, that was enough for me to praise and entice her,

“Good.. come on… I got you.”

Her foot stayed in place, and she turned her head to the side, like shying away, her arms curled tighter around her waist as if she was in pain. And I knew she was, when I’d be desperate for release of all my feelings, I’d get pain in my gut and stomach, breathing was even painful. But in an instant, I could hear her boots slam on the wet pavement, before I could catch on, her face collided into my chest as she threw herself onto me.

Her hands were around my waist as her faced buried closely to me, she let out a deep breath before beginning to cry softly. My arms secured her on me, and I stroked her back slowly. It was as if she was a little kid, a little girl, who was at her wits end crying and wasted. Her body felt limp against mine, she was giving up her strength as she broke apart. She was like a broken vase, holding all the water together but finally chipping apart and letting it out.

I knew she was very exhausted in every aspect, I could feel it when her knees finally buckled under her weight of all of this sense the beginning.

But she never met the ground again when I picked her up from it, she didn’t have to cry alone anymore. Her arms wrapped around my neck as she buried her face into my neck and then let out full sobs. Her feet were off the ground, as she was obviously shorter than me, and I used my strength to hold her up and closer to me, giving her the embrace she needed.

I leaned my head onto hers as I whispered,

“It’ll be ok Melione… let it go.”

Her sobs sounded so deep and broken, but like if she was releasing something as well, finally letting go. My hand snaked onto her hip as I held it tightly, and my other hand caressed her head softly, her legs soon wrapped around me, tightening her hold as well. The rain happened to start falling harder, the heavens were crying with her, but I refused for her to get sick and her stitches to get soaked, so I carefully began to walk back to base, but she grabbed onto the back of my neck and pleaded against my neck,

“Don’t let me go Simon… please.”

I shook my head as I promised,

“I won’t dove.. it’s ok.”

I was being honest.. I never letting her go.

Meli’s POV

We walked- Simon walked us into what looked like a separate bedroom, given to him sense he was of a higher ranking. It gave me the peace to cry on until I ran out of everything.

I felt more exhausted after crying for at least two hours, and Simon never let me go the entire time, I knew he had cried at some point, his tears had ran down my temple where he laid his face. We comforted each other in the silence, reliving ourselves from what had been eating at us this whole time.

But now as we had calmed down and sat next to each other, we felt sleepy and hungry. Simon suggested I’d shower while he went to find something, so he helped me cover my stitches so I could shower, and once I was out he kindly asked me to drink a warm tea and eat what he had found for us.

After eating the little empanadas and sipping the tea he had made (which was delicious as ever) I dried my hair and got my things, ready to walk out so he could sleep for a bit, he had just gotten out of the shower. He looked more relaxed in just a black Henley and black cargo pants as he walked out, slipping his mask on. I took the chance to ask him right away,

“Umm.. Where’s my bag Simon?”

Simon was quick to let his eyes set under his bed, letting me know it was there as he questioned,

“Why Meli?”

I didn’t know how to tell him but honesty was the best answer, so I replied,

“So… so I can go to the barracks… let you sleep?”

He grunted lowly and pointed to his bed,

“It’s comfier here dove, there’s too many other men we don’t know, and you’re the only woman around.”

Was he suggesting I stay with him? I mean it made sense and it honestly would make me feel more safe, as I know Soap, Rudy and Gaz were sharing barrack rooms, and Ale had his own as well as Price.. so meaning I would technically be on my own.

I then looked at his bed, seeing it was a good size and had the most soft looking blanket on it made me even more sleepy. A rough hand then gently grabbed my own and led me to the bed, as Simon softly ushered,

“Get in Meli.. go on.”

Without thoughts I let my exhaustion lead me and place me under the soft blanket, I cuddled into it and sighed with content. My eyes then landed on Simon who tried to get comfortable on the little sofa next to me, I felt a little bad as I watched how he tried to fit his abnormally large body onto the little sofa. I still can’t believe how big he was, it was crazy yet good on his part- well sometimes.

‘Oh Simon.. you barely fit!’

“Simon… we can trade-“

He groaned as he stretched his back onto the cushions, his large size on the tiny sofa made him look larger, like a giant teddy bear. But he let his words come out like honey as he sighed,

“No Meli… sleep.”

“But-“

“Sleep Meli.. you need it dove..”

I then bit back the offer to switch as I knew he wouldn’t change his mind, so I proposed,

“We can share the bed… we fit.”

His face faced the ceiling with closed eyes, but he slowly lifted his hand and with a pointer finger he signaled to me ‘no’ along with some words,

“No Meli… you need plenty of room for good sleep, you’re shot up and stabbed, you need space. But thank you.”

I nodded though he couldn’t see, but I responded,

“You’re welcome… you’re still welcome on here anyway if you change your mind.. the blanket is soft and the bed is comfy.”

‘You need good sleep too Simon, regardless of what it is.’

Ghost’s POV

‘Ahhh Meli. I’d kill to say yes.. but I need to respect you…’

God only knows how bad I want to be on that bed, it looked comfortable and the the blanket … it appeared so soft and heavy. I liked sleeping with that combination, something soft and heavy on me… but I wanted to give Meli her space, tho she insisted kindly. Anyways, I told her again,

“I’ll think on it. Now sleep.”

“ok… night Simon.”

She sounded defeated. So I had to reassure her I wasn’t rejecting her, and myself that I wasn’t, her voice let me know she thought so, so I lastly bid more kindly as possible,

“Goodnight Meli.. sleep well.”

I could imagine her smile of comfort as she replied differently, happily almost,

“Goodnight Simon.. sleep well too.”