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Bullets swirled in the air. Some spun past Price while others hit the corner of the house he was using as cover. “Bloody fuck,” He cussed under his breath while he pulled out his pistol instead of reloading. They were in a tight spot. He didn’t have time for it.
“Captain,” Nikolai's voice came from behind him. Price jumped slightly as he pulled his body back behind the building. He then started to reload his gun.
Price was fumbling fucking hard right now. He was struggling to reload his gun. It took him like 5 times before he actually got the ammo in the damn thing. He took in a sharp breath before he responded, “Yeah, Nik?”
But that conversation was cut short when he was dragged around the corner and met with the face of another soldier that was a part of the Russian army.
Price elbowed the soldier in the stomach and went to use the blunt end of his gun to hit them with it but felt a sharp stabbing pain in his forearm. He knew it was a knife he didn’t even have to check.
Price assumed that the next bullet to hit the soldier in the head came from Nik. Even if it didn’t, he was glad because he had bigger problems to attend to right now. He ducked down behind a half wall to check the damage.
It was pretty damn bad. The knife was sharp and slid into his arm like a stick of butter. It was deep but he didn’t think it hit anything severe.
He pulled the knife out his arm, a stupid decision, he knows. Luckily, adrenaline was coursing through his body so he didn’t feel it for the most part. He was bleeding quite a lot though.
Except that's what he thought until the pain actually settled. Sure, adrenaline didn’t make it as bad as it actually was but it still fucking hurt. He grunted quietly to himself as his eyes darted around for a solution.
He ripped off a small piece of fabric from a nearby (dead) soldier and used that to wrap his own arm up. The mission was more important; he couldn't dwell on this for much longer.
He finally got the damn thing tied. It was hard to do with one hand, especially his left.
“Are you okay??” Nikolai asked, a firm hand going on Price’s shoulder. His tone had a hint of worry in it. It made Price crack a smile.
Price nodded, “I’m fine. Let’s go.”
A lie, but Nikolai seemed to believe him so he went along with it.
And that was that..
Price had honestly forgotten about the injury the longer the mission went on. Nobody asked why he had a random piece of fabric tied around his arm either. They were all focused on the mission and Price had gotten used to the pain.
By the time the mission was completed and Price was in the driver seat of one of the trucks driving his men back to their own base, his arm was stinging. It hurt like a bitch now that his adrenaline had faded. It was no longer wrapped with the fabric he had put on it. It had probably had come off when he wasn’t looking since he wasn’t exactly paying attention to it.
For the most part he focused on driving. He’s had worse so he shrugged it off despite the writhing pain he was in.
Nikolai had probably noticed both the blood and ripped part of Price’s sleeve because he grabbed Price’s arm and pulled it over the center console to take a closer look.
Price felt Nik’s gentle hands slip his blood-coated sleeve up to his elbow. Despite the light trace of his fingertips, it still made Price tense from the touch.
“Holy shit..! When did that happen??” Nikolai questioned as he turned away momentarily to search in the glove box. He pulled out a first aid kit and opened it.
Price simply shrugged and said, “Not sure,” He was lying, obviously. He knew exactly when and how it happened he just was too exhausted to say. He glanced over to Nik and saw he was dissatisfied with the response. Though, he didn’t push on it.
Nikolai kept quiet and wrapped Price’s arm up with normal bandages. Price glanced over and saw blood. Fucking wonderful. He was still bleeding. Though, it was to no surprise. The wound was pretty deep and it explained why it was still hurting so bad.
Regardless, the hands that worked over his skin made him shiver slightly. They were so tender with him.. it was strange. Then again, he didn’t get injured too terribly often. Maybe it was just weird to him to be taken care of by someone who wasn’t a medic.
Price wasn’t sure but he had to physically shut his mind up before he missed the turn to the base.
Nikolai tied the bandage off with a knot. The pressure on the wound caused Price to have to take in a sharp breath.
Nikolai then took Price’s hand in his own. He was careful not to touch his injury.. which Price took notice of. He thought it was sweet but he didn’t comment on it.
Price let his hand hold Nik’s loosely. His hand was still kind of weak due to his wound. The adrenaline did him wonders during that mission. Hell, now he could hardly hold Nik’s hand properly.
Sure, they weren’t together, but they would have their moments when they were touchy with one another. Price would be lying if he said he didn’t love every second of it. He cherished any time Nikolai sought out to touch him, even if it was something as simple as holding hands.
Finally, they all made it back to the base in one piece. The car ride felt long and dragged out. Way longer than how long it took to get prepped for the mission.
Price went to the medical department almost as soon as he got out of the truck. He knew he would’ve had to go even if he didn’t want to anyway.
Besides, he knew Nikolai would’ve wanted him to.
He had to get stitches. They honestly hurt like a bitch but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle. He’s had worse.
When he was all stitched up, he went back to his office so he could start planning future missions.
It was about half an hour before Nikolai let himself in to check on Price. Price’s eyes were more focused on the notes he had written down.
Nikolai brushed his sleeve up and smiled softly when he saw the stitches. “I didn’t have to force you to go this time,” He said in a teasing tone. Price looked up at Nikolai and his heart basically fluttered a little. Nikolai was smiling. Price could tell that Nik actually was happy about this. It actually almost made Price tear up but he knew better than to cry in front of him.
Nik’s smile in turn made Price smile as well. Price loved Nikolai’s smile. The way it was slightly more skewed to one side rather than both. The way he laughed slightly every time he did. The way his teeth slightly poked through. It meant everything to Price…. God if this man knew the impact he had on him..
Nikolai then spoke again which broke Price free from his thoughts, “I’ve finally gotten you to listen to me, hm?”
Price chuckled as he lightly nudged Nikolai’s shoulder. He answered, “Not even close, I’m afraid.”
“Ah, hell. I’ll get you there one day.” Nikolai laughed.
Nik didn’t even notice how the way he was cupping Price’s arm was making Price feel. He had completely abandoned his planning to let Nikolai touch him.
And that was the very moment that he realized how gone he actually was for Nikolai. He knew he meant a lot to him but he didn’t think he had fallen in love with him. It was like he was just smacked in the face with realization.
“Why’re you looking at me like that?” Nikolai asked softly, releasing Price from the depths of his mind once again.
Price looked over Nikolai’s expression briefly before he glanced away. “..Like what?” He reluctantly asked, shifting his eyes back to meet with Nik’s.
Nikolai let out a soft ‘ha’ and looked back down at Price’s arm. He flipped his arm over and caught a glance of the semicolon tattoo that was on the side of Price’s wrist.
The way his expression fell told it all. This was the exact reason why Price didn’t want to get the damn tattoo in the first place.
Nikolai turned Price’s hand so he could see it completely. He brushed his thumb over it. He then grabbed a pen and drew a heart around it. “Glad you’re still here, captain.” He said in a light hearted town.
Price’s stomach felt like it was twisting up inside itself. It was in a good way — at least he assumed it was. But damn if it didn’t shatter his entire soul.
“It was a while ago. I’m fine now.” Price breathed out.
Nikolai nodded and smiled while his thumb continued in the same motion it was prior.
Sometimes when people saw the tattoo, they were way too overbearing. They would ask over and over if he was okay and it was irritating to all hell. ..But with Nik, it wasn’t like that. Price actually thought Nikolai’s reaction was cute. It wasn’t too much or too little. Just enough to show appreciation along with care without prying too much.
The silence carried on up until they locked eyes. The tension was fucking crazy. Price could feel every inch of it but he didn’t know what to do with it.
So, he let Nik take initiative.
But Nikolai didn’t do anything except look away awkwardly. He then stood up, his fingertips tracing as they slid off of Price’s arm. “Suppose I’ll let you finish your work then, hm?”
“Wait—” Price basically jumped up and grabbed Nikolai by his wrist. When their eyes met again Price exhaled heavily.
He had really done it now.
Price shuffled closer, gently resting his hands loosely on either side of Nik’s sides.
He was hesitant with his movement but Nikolai put a hand under Price’s jaw, his fingers brushing through his beard.
Thank god Nikolai hadn’t pushed him away. Call Price dramatic, but he probably would’ve put a round in his head if he had.
Nik kissed him. It was exactly what Price was aiming for but even then it still felt completely unreal. It only lasted a couple of seconds but it felt like forever.
The way Nik’s lips smushed against his own was so… euphoric in a way.
“Mm. Bold of you.” Nikolai hummed once they separated from one another. He started to walk out the door while he said, “See ya later, Cap.”
Price couldn’t help but smile.