Chapter Text
Ghost took a breath of suffocating air, something adjacent to relief washed over him as he did. It felt good to be back on base after so long in the hospital.
He strode forward with purpose, shaking his head of his thoughts. It was all behind him now, no point in looking back. He nodded to familiar faces as he walked towards base.
Ghost moved through the halls almost robotically as he walked to his room. He could have done this in a blindfold, especially considering people tended to make way for him. Before long, he was in front of his door, his name plate glinting back at him.
He walked in and sighed, shutting the door behind him. He moved to turn on the little desk fan so it would move the stagnant air. He then went about tidying up, despite the lack of things that needed cleaning. Once he felt comfortable, he sat on his bed, checking his watch.
13:57.
Price had wanted Ghost in his office at 15:00. He had an hour to kill. He sighed, no getting out of going medical today.
Ghost reluctantly dragged himself up and trudged down to medical. His prescription had been sent there, and the nurses would probably shove the pills down his throat if he didn't take them himself. He couldn't help but grimace under the mask as he entered.
"Hi, Lieutenant Riley! Here for your meds?" asked Mae, standing up from the chair she was sat in. "I'm on break, but since you're such a stubborn ass, I want to put them in your hand myself," she chirped. Ghost huffed.
Mae whisked away to find his prescription, leaving him alone. He sighed and sat down in one of the chairs, his eyes sweeping the room as he did. Everyone was hustling and bustling and hard at work, it was almost fun to watch. It'd have been more enjoyable if Johnny someone was here with him.
After a few minutes of slightly dissociative waiting, Mae returned with Ghost's prescription. He stood up and she placed the pills right into his hand.
"You need to take the antibiotics twice daily to keep your injuries from getting infected. Take the painkillers as you need," she informed him. "I know you probably already got the spiel, but I'll refresh it. You'll need to take care of the burn scars and not do anything strenuous for them. I know you have a tendency to tough it out and work 'til you can't, but this time you have to rest." Mae looked at him in the eyes as she spoke, as if she could will the self care into him with her gaze.
Ghost nodded obediently. "I understand," he affirmed. Mae let out a bitter laugh.
"It's not a question of understanding, Lieutenant. I know you understand, but will you do as you're told?" she responded, tilting her head.
Ghost nodded and shifted uncomfortably. He knew she was poking at his less than perfect self care tendencies, but the statement cut him deeper than that. The jab unintentionally stabbed at his status as a soldier. Could he do as he was told?
"Well, my break's over. Have a nice rest of the day Lieutenant," Mae bid, slicing through Ghost's thoughts.
"Bye," he responded.
Ghost left medical and walked back to his room, putting the medication by his bed. He knew he would avoid the painkillers at all cost. He much preferred feeling everything physically and nothing mentally, not the other way around.
He sat down on his bed, briefly debating if he wanted to go to mess and get something to eat. No. He doesn't want to interact with more people than strictly necessary right now.
He checked his watch again.
14:16.
He sighed. He needed something to do for 30 minutes, but what? His eyes drifted around the room before landing on a little stack of books.
Simon had already read them all, but maybe a chapter would help kill time. He skimmed the titles. Eventually, his eyes landed on White Fang. Simon hummed and picked it up, leafing through it until he picked the chapter he wanted. The Law of Meat.
He read through it, and by the time he finished, it was time to leave. He set the book back, and Ghost left the room. As he trodded to Price's office, his thoughts drifted.
Would he ever be forgiven for his actions like the dog had? Probably not. White Fang had to be saved because he was helpless. Ghost was anything but helpless, and he didn't need saving.
His thoughts halted as Price's office door came into view. He cracked his fingers and checked his watch again.
14:59.
He walked up to the door, waiting until it turned 15:00 to knock. From outside, he heard the rustling of fabric and a faint chuckle as Price opened the door.
"Hello, Simon," the man greeted, attempting to set the tone as he welcomed Ghost in.
"Captain," he responded, rejecting it.
Price sighed as he went to sit back down, his Lieutenant in tow. He settled comfortably into his chair and looked Ghost up and down.
"How's the arm?" Price asked.
"Fine. Nerve damage and severe scarring. I'm sure you saw the reports," came his answer. Price nodded.
"Yeah, nasty stuff. How's it been otherwise?" he continued. Ghost frowned, Price wasn't one to beat around the bush.
"Cut the bullshit, why am I here?" he questioned, leaning forward. Price chuckled.
"Always were blunt," he mused. He sighed and readjusted his hat. "There's no nice way to put it, you're being discharged."
Ghost stilled, like the dead man he ought to have been. Discharged? He couldn't be, the military was all he had.
Price's eyes softened and he pursed his lips. "Look, Simon, you've suffered severe nerve damage among other life threatening injuries. At this point, it's just not worth trying to shove you back into the field, especially with your track record," he explained. "You've seen some shit, even for a soldier. Maybe it's about time for you to finally settle down."
Ghost gritted his teeth and nodded. "Understood," he grumbled. "When am I leaving?"
"Two weeks," Price supplied. He bit his lip, whether it was to withhold the smile or in contemplation of his wording, only god knows. "I pulled some strings, so you'll also be giving you a 'parting gift' before you leave," he said conspiratorially.
"Parting gift?" Ghost echoed in confusion.
"You're getting a dog," Price stated. "Her name's Wrecker, she's being retired and who better to put her with than you?" Ghost opened his mouth to protest, but was swiftly cut off. "Face it Simon, you need something to care for again, and this is a good place to start."
Simon couldn't argue with that. Maybe, in the very deepest darkest part of his mind, he didn't really want to. Maybe, just maybe, in his miraculously still beating heart, he wanted that dog.
"Understood, sir," Ghost affirmed.
"Good lad. I'll have Mae send your meds to the pharmacy by your flat," Price said, beginning to stand up.
"Don't bother," Ghost grunted, crossing his arms. "I've been planning to move back to Manchester, found a house too. I'll give her the nearest pharmacy."
Price couldn't hold back the scoff and annoyed smirk that broke through his mask of calmness. "And you were planning to tell me this when?" he questioned.
Ghost shrugged. "Whenever it came up," he supplied unhelpfully.
"You're a right bastard, Riley," Price declared. "Now sod off, I've got paperwork to do."
"Yes, sir," Ghost answered. He stood up and exited his captain's office.