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“Price. He’s doing it again.”
Price looked up from the files he was studying to glance at Soap “Who? What?” He asked, confused.
“Gary. He’s working out again, for the 5th time today” Soap said, gesturing to where Roach was punching a punching bag in the corner of the hangar.
Price sighed quietly and put the files down “Have you told him to stop?” he asked. Soap nodded “So has Simon. Simon had to physically drag the man away from the bag, and I had to force him to sit down, and actually drink something. But ten minutes later, he’s back at it.”
“That kid is stubborn” Ghost called over to Price “You won’t believe how many times I’ve tried to drag his short ass away from that bag. I’ve contemplated locking him in his room.”
Price closed his eyes momentarily, trying to think.
“Alright. Just, get back to whatever you were doing. I’ll speak to Gary, yeah?” Price murmured. Soap nodded, before walking back to where he was busy reloading all sorts of rifles with Ghost.
Price got up from his seat, and walked over to Roach.
Roach looked exhausted. His hands were covered in bandages, and even that didn’t stop them from getting small bloodied cuts. He was sweating quite a lot, and was trembling like a leaf in the wind. Even though Price was approaching him, he didn’t stop punching the bag.
“Gary.” Price said.
Roach didn’t look at him. “What?” he asked bluntly.
“Look. I know you like doing...whatever it is you’re doing? But you need to stop” Price put his hands on Roach’s shoulders and pulled him back slightly, away from the bag “and you need to rest.”
Roach looked at him with a tired expression “Just ten more minutes” He muttered.
“No. Not ‘ten more minutes’. You are resting. That is an order.” Price narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
Roach shook Price’s hands off his shoulders “No offence, Sir? But you can’t stop me from training.”
Just as Roach began punching the bag again, Price forcefully grabbed Roach’s shoulders, and forced him to sit down, causing Roach to yelp in alarm.
“This stops. Now.” Price’s voice had a warning edge to it. Roach returned the warning with a glare.
“What happened in the past, wasn’t your fault, Gary” Price’s voice became soft. This was a rare moment from him.
“It was.” Roach said bluntly “If I had gotten that rubble off-”
Price cut him off. “Gary. He wouldn’t have made it to a hospital, no matter what we did” Price explained softly “You can’t keep blaming yourself for the inevitable.”
Roach stared at him. He then let out a shaky breath as tears pricked his eyes.
“I...I just...miss him, Price…” Roach whispered, his voice trembling.
“I know, son. We all do. He was a good man.” Price said softly “But the world moves on, and we have to as well. We’ll never forget the sacrifices he made, but we can’t stay living in the past over something we couldn’t control.”
Roach’s body trembled and he let out a quiet sob. Price quietly embraced him as Roach sobbed into Price’s shoulder.
“He would have been proud of you, kid” Price whispered softly “Just like we all are.”
“Whatever happens now. Do it for him. And no more of this destructive behaviour. Promise?” Price asked.
Roach let out a soft sniffle and took a shaky, pained breath.
“I...I promise...”