Chapter Text
“Thirty minutes ‘til rendezvous.”
“Copy.” Fuck it was cold out here. Soap’s hands were frozen in position, one finger sitting parallel to the trigger guard and the base of the gun. The cold of the metal leached through the thick material and sank into his bones. A hot shower was calling his name by the end of this, something to cut the chill that would haunt him for the rest of the day.
Somewhere far above him, Ghost watched the street through an infrared scope. Soap burned bright in his sight, alone in the street. Still, something about the mission felt off. It was too quiet. There were reports of Graves’ men all over this area, and yet, the streets were silent tonight.
“—Thinking I might need a cuppa when I get back.”
Soap’s voice yanked Ghost out from his thoughts as the comm link crackled on. Typical. Even from here, he could see Soap’s clumsy steps, the shoulders that weren’t quite hunched enough. Loud, sloppy. Everything about Soap was loud, from his footsteps to his laugh, to the way he closed doors and set a bottle of beer down on a table. Everything about him was loud, the opposite of everything Ghost stood for.
“Keep the comms clear.” Ghost grunted, readjusting his scope.
Typical. Ghost was always so stagnant, so rigid. I’m just trying to keep the night interesting, Soap thought. He flexed his fingers in his gloves and cringed at the puddle he stepped in. More soggy boots – even the waterproofing couldn’t keep the chill out from his socks. The street ended with no other incidence, the area clear of Graves’ men.
“Road’s clear. Heading to rendezvous now.”
“Affirmative.” The shooting lane was lost and the comms wouldn’t connect through the solid brick of the buildings. Ghost would do no help watching an empty street as Ghost slipped into an abandoned warehouse. They were almost home free, and both men were looking forward to a change of clothes and a hot meal. Ghost slide the supports for his rifle back together and rose, ignoring the way his own back creaked. This weather was no good for anyone, but especially not for old soldiers with worn joints.