Chapter Text
Rodolfo never considered himself a light sleeper. Also never really thought of himself as a heavy one. Truly he never really thinked about it. He slept thank you very much and slept as well as he could when he was able to, because in his profession some shut eye was always necessary.
But others seem to be interested in disturbing his very much needed rest. Seems to have theories about it too.
It started simply.
Price hated disturbing the well earned down time of his ally, but he also needed some clarification on one of the reports Parra made.The man was nothing but methodic in his work, his reports more than perfect, but for some reason he could not fathom, he always hand wrote his paperworks. His calligraphy was sadly less than stellar. But the man always looked so satisfied of his work offering a small smile and an apology for his writing...Price still hasn’t had the heart to ask him to write them digitally.
The freaking hieroglyphic word he was trying to decrypt blurred in front of him and he pinched the bridge of his nose, sensing a headache growing. He could go and ask him what the fuck it means. It was still early in the night and if he was lucky, the guy would still be up and about in his room.
Few minutes later he distractedly knocked on the sergeant’s door before opening it, eyes focused on the paper in front of him.
"Hey Rodolfo..."
Lifting his head he was only met with darkness. Price frowned.
"Yes sir ?"
The voice startled him badly, and he barely contained a yelp.
It was much closer than expected, the man materializing in front of him, a shadow against the dark room.
"Jesus fuckin christ Parra, warn a guy before creeping in the dark! I expect that from Ghost, not you! Hell…"
He took a shaky breath, the hand not gripping the now very much crumbled report, traveling to his chest where his heart had stuttered.
The figure chuckled, turning the light on . Squinting a bit he was met with the contrite face of a very amused very disheveled soldier.
"Sorry captain I heard you coming and woke up, but you opened the door before I could reach the light…"
He didn’t miss the way the man hid one of his hands behind his back,catching the glimpse of a blade before it disappeared. So, not as paranoid as Simon but maybe as close as he could get. Good to know. Speaking of ghosts, the light was accentuating the bags under Rodolfo's eyes. He seemed a bit pale too. The captain frowned.
“It's alright son, you look tired though, everything ‘s okay?”
Rodolfo smiled softly.
"Don't worry Dad, some more sleep and I’ll be as good as new.”
Price froze. Dad? Lookin up he met Rodolfo's eyes lit with mirth.
Oh no. Not this one too.Truly, this was getting out of control, this one was less than half a decade younger than him. He needed to get a grip on this fatherly shit.
"So what's the urgency ?"
The question snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Oh yeah I needed you to explain this to me… "
Rodolfo took the paper locking the door behind him.
“Sure, let's see…”
Price let the sergeant guide him to his office, sighting tiredly. These boys were going to be the death of him.
…………………………………………..
“Gaz, could you go search for Sergeant Parra please? It’s his day off but we’ve got some news about Shepherd, meeting in 15’ ” Price grumbled.
Gaz was almost out of the door before the captain called him back.
“And son, don't let him jumpscare you. The guy has a freaky good hearing, probably will be out of the door before you say hello…”
Gaz smirked
“Speaking from experience Captain?”
Price rolled his eyes.
“every minute I pass with your lot is a minute closer to my grave Sergeant so get going”
“So that’s a yes?”
“14 minutes Sergeant”
The soldier laughed, not pushing his luck…this time.
***
Rodolfo was almost in heaven. His thoughts muddled by sleep. The pillow was ok, the bed warm and soft…Well no as much as it could be but it had the merit to not be the damp floor of a tent,which he experienced a little bit too much these last few days.
He adjusted his cover. It was a patchwork blanket, knitted by Alejandro’s mother when she got wind of his struggles to sleep.
“A blanket for the soul” she had declared before shoving it in his arms.
“So Alejandro can stop worrying so much about you and focus on his own sleep schedule,right?” she added, her eyes crinkling with mirth, patting him gently on the cheek.
Alejandro had seemed embarrassed by the exchange, furiously blushing when his mother continued, claiming loudly that it was his idea. The two proceed to bicker endlessly about his involvement in the gift. Later she whispered to him conspiratorially;
“Don't listen to him Rudy, love, he chose all the colors himself saying they were your favorites. If he wasn’t so useless with two needles he would have made it too!”
He had laughed then, the attention making his heart tightened painfully.He hadn't dare to sleep with it at first the object a reminder of what he could never have. But Rodolfo didn’t have as many nightmares when he was using the gift and Alejandro had smiled softly when he saw him use it once. He seemed a little less tense,more carefree.The dark bruises under his eyes disappearing little by little, at the same time as Rudy’s.
He smiled a little, letting his thoughts lead him to sleep.
Or not.
Someone was coming for him. He frowned, considering the steps , not quite recognizing these ones…Price? Gaz? He never could differentiate the two. But since he almost pulled a knife on the Captain, he learned enough to know it was not an enemy. Not making this mistake twice, he thought, feeling more than a little guilty. He swinged out of bed walking to his door, opening it briskly. Ah, Gaz it is then. He stared at the man standing in front of him,mouth agape, his fist still up, prepared to knock.
“Holy shit bro, the captain was not joking” he said smiling widely,
“what”
“Were you going out dressed like that?” The sergeant joked leaning on the doorframe.
"Wha…no! I was resting and heard you coming”
Rodolfo looked at himself getting self conscious. He was sporting a quite big shirt and soft sweatpants, bare feet getting cold on the linoleum floor. Not his most professional outfit he could agree.
“You heard me in your sleep?”
He frowned, confused.
“Yes I guess, why?”
“Nothing, just impressed by your bat hearing’s powers. You probably gave a heart attack to the old man last time, he warned me about the instant door opening thing. But anyway, I came to tell you we’ve got a meeting with Price in…” He checked his watch.
“Well, pretty much now, we got news about Shepherd. Better hurry up and get dressed! Sorry I’m not waiting for you, you know how the captain gets when I’m late.”
Rudy shaked his head baffled.
“Frankly I don’t”
Gaz didn’t seems to hear.
“ Welp, see you there Batman!” And with that he was gone as quickly as he came.
Rodolfo groaned, it could have been such a good nap…