Hindrance {Ajay Ghale x Reader} Chapter 4

WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE






          With an exhausted sigh, I fell onto my bed. Moving in to my own apartment had completely drained me.

           Unfortunately, as soon as I got comfortable, an interruptive knock sounded at my front door.

           I couldn’t help the groan that escaped my lips when I reluctantly pulled myself back up. I went up to the door then looked through the peephole, the man on the other side causing my chest to tighten.

           I unlocked the door then opened it revealing Ajay. His eyes were red and puffy though his look was hard. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest as he shifted stiffly from side to side.

           “Ajay… What are you doing here? How did you find me?” I asked in an unintentionally harsh tone.

           “I uh… your mom told me this was your new address. C-Can I come in?” His voice made it clear he was about to break.

           Without another word, I stepped to the side and let him in. I watched him silently as he went to the nearest wall and fell back against it. At that point he finally broke. Covering his eyes roughly and releasing breathy sobs, he let himself slide down the wall.

           I didn’t hesitate to run over to his side. I didn’t ask questions, I just knelt down to his level and wrapped my arms around his shaky form.

           “I turned them in. My friends I-… I went behind their backs and turned them in.” He choked out. I backed away just enough to look at his face. Just looking at him caused helpless tears to prick at my eyes. I wanted to say something, do something that would help.

           With a stabilizing breath, I quit holding back and demanded, “Just tell me what happened.”

           He finally looked back at me with those pitiful eyes he had in silence.





                                                           ~



         

           My eyes open in a smooth awakening. I’ve been having the same flashback for a series of reoccurring dreams ever since Ajay told me he loved me. It always ends in the same place: Ajay looking up at me desperately seeking help and me… getting nowhere in trying to give it to him.

           I roll over and look up at the rickety ceiling above me. How long have we been here, fighting this seemingly unending war? It’s slightly unsettling that I’m no longer getting sick to my stomach thinking about how many lives I’ve taken. Of course they were fight or flight situations but still… having someone’s life in your hands… that shouldn’t be taken lightly, right?

           Hearing some commotion outside, I let out a deep breath and sit myself up. Ajay wanted to go and see his mother’s house today. How guilty and hesitant he looked asking me to come with still makes me feel awful. Friends are supposed to be there for each other without question. Yet here I am, bitching about how much he needs my help.

           After preparing myself as little as I need to, I make my way out in search of Ajay. I halt my steps when I spot him speaking with Amita. Her and Sabal have been butting heads on the goals and objectives of The Golden Path since we got here. As kind as Sabal and I were to each other, I never found myself agreeing with his views. The same went for Ajay, him and I always teamed up doing what Amita thought was best.

           I lean up against a nearby tree and cross my arms while I wait for the conversation to finish. Ajay does a double take at me over Amita’s shoulder. He stares and holds his gaze with mine for a moment. The serious look on his face causes a light chill to run up my spine. He then breaks contact and looks back to Amita.

           The action causes me to think back to the moment he told me he loved me. At the time, I truly doubted it and believed he didn’t know what he was saying. But… how we’ve worked together and how protective he is of me over the smallest of things no matter how many times I tell him to lay off… there’s no denying he cares for me. But love?... Who knows?...

           “Hey.” Ajay’s masculine voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I look up to him quickly and see his face is coated with that familiar concern he always seems to have for me now. “Something on your mind?”

           I can feel my cheeks heat up and I look down to my feet. “Nothing.” I answer, clearing my throat. “It’s just um… you ready to go down memory lane?” I ask, bringing myself to look back up at him.

           His face softens and he just looks back at me silently. His gaze finally shifts and he takes slow paces away from me. He runs a hand through his hair and gives a shaky sigh. He turns back to me. “Let’s go.”





                                                           ~





           Ajay drives the jeep with me on the lookout for Royal Soldiers in the passenger’s seat in silence. As he drives, I take subtle glances his way. He seems fine if not a bit distracted, but he always looks like that driving. Although his reaction from earlier when I asked if he was ready to do this lead me to believe that he’s anything but calm right now.

           Sometimes I really question why the hell he comes to me for comfort. I’m shit at it.

           We slow to a stop once we arrive. Ajay exits the jeep smoothly and I follow in suit watching him carefully. He stops just a few feet from the house and freezes. It’s clear then that I was right suspecting something was still wrong.

           Without thinking, I take his hand in mine and notice that’s more than enough to take him out of his trance. His gaze shoots down to our hands then quickly lifts up to meet my eyes. I then pull him towards the house and open the door.





                                                           ~





           I awaken to the sound of… a crowd cheering? I feel extremely dizzy just trying to open my eyes. I can also feel that I’m bound and greatly restricted in my movements. In a panic, I do what I can to get my eyes open and blink away the blurriness.

           It felt like a sick dream processing where I was. I was in some sort of arena. The huge crowd around the arena explains the excited cheering.

           I look up and down at myself and can’t help but flush in both embarrassment and shame. My hands are tied above my head around a wooden pole as I hang at least 10 feet above the ground with my ankles also bound together. My clothes were switched for something much more skimpier. The skirt I’m in is very short and very light fabric with golden beads dangling off the ends. The top is most likely a light scarf wrapped around just enough to cover my breasts. I’m also covered in all sorts of body paint patterns. I can feel jewelry around my biceps as well as something placed atop my head, but I’m in no position to see what it is.

           I’m thankful the crowd is more focused on the fighters below me shooting at each other than me.

           I do what I can to figure out a way to get the hell out of here. How did I get here in the first place? I try and think back and remember Ajay and I going into his mother’s home. And then… those two potheads were there. My eyes widen in realization.

           That’s right! Those two fucking potheads! They were in Ajay’s mother’s home and stuck needles in both of our necks causing us to black out.

           So they brought us here, this arena forcing people, and even wildlife, to fight against each other for entertainment.

           I know where I ended up, but where’s Ajay?

           I scan the arena for him. I blush and quickly look away when I realize that he’s the naked fighter in the arena taking almost everyone and everything down. He shoots down an opponent just below me making him drop dead…and his gun to fall to the ground next to him. I tug at the bindings holding my wrists together. The binds loosen unexpectedly quickly and I suddenly slip through and drop to the ground hard. My landing is anything but smooth. I did what I could to take the pressure off my ankles landing but ended up falling flat on my side with a loud grunt.

           “(F/n)!” I hear Ajay call in a panic. Without a moment to waste, I bring my focus back to the assault rifle on the ground from earlier. I drag myself towards it then grab cover. I then quickly untie my ankles.

           Suddenly, Ajay is by my side in cover, panting and reloading.

           I look to him then rapidly look away. “God, why are you naked?!” I demand getting out of cover to aim and fire at an incoming opponent.

           “The same reason you look like a whore!” He retorts commencing fire himself.

           “Just put on that guy’s pants!” I command over the gunfire, gesturing to a nearby corpse.

           “Now?!”

           “Yes now! I’ll cover you! For the love of God just put on some pants!”





                                                           ~





           Ajay and I manage to come out victorious in the arena. Although, the animals were difficult to fend off, both Ajay and I got scratched up pretty badly by them.

           We’re lead out of the arena and finally get to retrieve our clothes. I shoot Ajay a glare and tell him to turn around while I change. He just rolls his eyes and does as I ask.

           “I just don’t think it’s fair.” He sighs sadly. He doesn’t say anything more once my boot slams against the back of his head.





                                                           ~





           We walk out and meet with the announcer of the arena. “Walk with me.” She tells us plainly.

           “Y-You tried to kill us!” Ajay argues.

           “And now I’m not.” She replies way too calmly for our liking.

           “But what the hell was I here for?!” I demand.

           “You were the prize. It was an entertaining twist for the audience to see that you were the key to winning as well.”

           “You know what? Fuck you.” Ajay hisses defensively.

           “Stop.” The woman says to her bodyguards who, surprisingly, are wearing less than I was. “Wait here.”  She tells them then turns her attention back to us. “Just listen.” She lightly begs. “Paul has my family. Until I know they’re safe, I’m trapped here doing whatever Pagan wants me to do.”

           “What does this have to do with us?” Ajay inquires.

           “The Golden Path wants Paul dead. I need my family safe. We can help each other.” She turns and opens the door to her chambers.

           “How?” I ask.

           She turns and faces us once again. “I can get you back into his stronghold.” She says just before shutting her doors. We turn to leave but she calls us back briefly. “Oh and take it easy on Reggie and Yogi. They’re being played, just like you and I.” She finishes shutting the doors for good.





                                                           ~





           “Damn that honey badger got you good.” Ajay mumbles cleaning the scratch wound on my arm.

           “No shit.” I groan lightly in pain.

           “Sorry.” He apologizes quickly. “Oh… um, (F/n)?”

           “Yeah?”

           “The wound goes all the way to the back of your shoulder… Do you want me to go get Amita?” He asks awkwardly.

           “No…I’m fine with you doing it.” I answer timidly. He saw me in that skimpy outfit they put me in at the arena... this shouldn't be too different. Hesitantly, I start to take my shirt off, being sure my back is completely to Ajay. Once I’m just in my bra, I look over my shoulder to him. “Could… you turn around for a minute?”

           Ajay says nothing for a moment, just looking at me. Realization he’s looking over my features causes my cheeks to heat up although it shouldn’t surprise me that he’s doing it in the first place. He soon snaps out of his trance then gives a silent nod of his head and turns around.

           I quickly take off my bra and cover my chest with my shirt. I take a seat on the table I was just on and look towards Ajay. “O-Okay, I’m ready.”

           Ajay turns to face me then takes slow, hesitant steps to the spot behind me. He sits himself down and begins treating my wound behind my shoulder.

           There’s a silence between us. I’m comfortable in it although I’m not sure if Ajay is. I notice his hands become gentler with their movements and he cleans my wound much slower than before.

           “There.” He says in a low tone finishing with the bandages. I hear him shuffle off the table. “You can put your shirt back on now. I won’t look.”

           Keeping my back to him I put my bra and shirt back on. I turn around and see that he’s a man of his word. “Okay. I’m covered.” I chuckle lightly.

           He turns back around slowly and looks at me forcing a smile. He rubs the back of his head awkwardly.

           “Hey.” I blurt suddenly, catching him off guard. I close my eyes and rub my forehead, trying to figure out the words I want to say. “I’m sorry.” I finally manage. I look back at him and see his face is coated with confusion. “You shouldn’t feel guilty.” I sigh, tears beginning to form in my eyes and my voice on the verge of breaking. “You shouldn’t feel guilty for coming to me when you need help. No matter how big o-or small… I’ll do what I can… always count on that.” I wipe away a stray tear that managed to fall.

           Suddenly, Ajay halts my hand from wiping away the tears and takes it in his own. I look up at him and he instantaneously pulls me in for a kiss. Despite my shock at what he’s doing, I close my eyes and let him give in to it.

           I shouldn’t allow this. I need to stop him. But why don’t I? Is it because I still feel guilty about how I’ve acted towards him? Or is it because he managed to pull me towards him somehow?

           Throughout all the near death experiences and all the times we couldn’t be more alive, he had managed to stir up feelings in me. I had no idea he had done such a thing until this very moment.

           Suddenly he pulls himself away from me. “Dammit… I’m sorry. I know,” He sighs before continuing, “I know I shouldn’t have done that.”

           I’m at a loss for words despite how much I try and speak. All I can manage to do is look at him as he scolds himself.

           “I know I need to get passed these feelings but dammit, (F/n)… I still love you. But pushing you away is the last thing I wanna do. Yet here I am… still managing to fuck up things between us.” He sits up against the table. With a sigh he looks to the ground and runs a hand through his hair. “I promise I’ll back off just… please… stick with me.”

           “Ajay.” I call lightly as the tears continue to fall down my face. I walk up in front of him and wrap my arms around his neck pulling him into an embrace. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m with you, all the way.”

           Ajay wraps his arms around me tightly. He nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck as he begins releasing quiet sobs.

   We continue to hold each other until we both calm down. I pull away slightly but we still have a hold on each other. Ajay’s hands are on my waist and I cup his face in my hands. I glance over his features as I wipe the tears from his cheeks with my thumb.

   “You should rest.” I say barley above a whisper.

   “You should too.” He argues lightly, pulling my form closer to his. He nuzzles his face back into the crook of my neck. “Please stay.” He sighs.

   He pulls away to look up at me for an answer. I give him a silent nod causing a small smile to tug at his lips. He then gets up taking my hand in his and leads me over to his bed. I lie down on my side and Ajay lies down behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close. We fall asleep quickly and for the first night I’ve spent in Kyrat, I feel safe.