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Ghost shouted a painful noise leaving his mouth as Soap's body fell to the ground. Blood is pooling around him at an alarming rate. Price is shouting about the bomb, and Gaz is shouting about more reinforcements pooling in. Ghost is shouting for his love dead on the ground.
The bomb is disarmed, and enemies are dead around them. Makarov in the wind.
Ghost makes his way to Soap. Kneels in the pool of blood, hands reaching out to pick up his lover's dead body, but stops. His head whips back, taking in the slightly shaking body in front of him. He holds his breath, moving a gloved hand towards Soap's head.
"Fuck," Ghost whispers.
Soaps eyes are open, moving frantically from side to side. He's breathing so quickly that it looks like he's shaking. But he's alive.
He's fucking alive!
"Price!" Ghost shouts.
He looks towards the still steadily bleeding wound on Soap's head. How is he still alive? Ghost can see into his fucking head.
"Johnny?" Ghost says softly but gets no response.
Soap's eyes keep moving side to side, like he's searching for something he's unable to see.
"Price! Get back here! We need a medic!"
Price runs in, with Gaz right behind him.
"Are you injured?" Price asks, worried, looking over Ghost.
"He's alive." Ghost says, hands still hovering over Soap, unsure of how to help.
"Soap?" Price asks, forcing himself to look at what he thought was Soap's corpse.
Price gasps when he sees Soap moving and breathing. He reaches for his comms, calling in and asking for an urgent medical evacuation.
"Carefully apply pressure to the wound. Evac will be here soon." Price commands.
Ghost carefully does as he's told. Soaps small, labored breaths, making his own breathing uneasy.
It all happens in a rush: medics run in, pushing him away. Soap never makes a sound as he's moved and transported to safety.
Is he really alive? Or a breathing corpse?
Ghost watches as Soap is rushed into surgery. Heart beating so hard and so fast that it hurts. Price and Gaz lead him to his room. He helps him remove his gear and helps him scrub away Soaps blood. He doesn't realize he's crying until he chokes on his own breath, warm tears streaming into his open mouth.
"Breath Simon." Price says, holding him by his shoulders.
Ghost only chokes harder, pain flaring through his chest. His legs give in from under him. Gaz grabbed him from behind, and with Price's help, he helped him to the floor. Ghost grabs onto Price, sobs tearing through his heaving chest.
"It's okay." Price tries to comfort, but it doesn't sound convincing when he's also fighting his own tears.
"It's okay." Gaz says from behind him, his voice wobbly through his tears.
They sit there, under the cooling spray of water. They sit there until the tears stop, none left to fall from their swollen eyes. They sit until they can stand—until they have to face reality.
They dry themselves, getting dressed into something dry, all in Ghosts clothes. Together, they make their way to the waiting room. They wait for hours. Until finally, when hope was lost, the surgeon walked in.
"Captain," he calls.
Price stands, his men following him.
"He's stable. He lost a lot of blood, and with a head injury so severe, we can't be sure if he wakes up how much damage there is."
Ghost feels his chest going tight and his breath hitching. Gaz takes his hand and squeezes it. Ghost lets out a breath, squeezing back.
"But he's alive?" Ghost asks, his voice tight.
"Yes, there is brain activity, and he's breathing on his own."
They all let out a sigh, their relief visible to anyone walking past them.
"Can we sit with him?" Gaz asks.
"Yes, don't move him, and don't make any loud noises."
They nod, following the doctor to Soaps room. Soaps head and shoulders are bandaged. Machines are hooked onto him, but he's really breathing by himself. Chest moving up and down calmly. Ghost moves a chair next to Soaps bed, sitting there, hand over Soaps beating heart.
After what feels like the world's longest nap, he opens his eyes. He flinches when the bright light burns his eyes.
"Johnny?" Someone asks by his side.
Who's Johnny?
He tries to turn his head to the side, but it hurts too much, so he just moves his eyes.
"Johnny?" The person asks again.
Is that my name?
Johnny looks at him. From his disheveled blond hair to his crumpled clothes. There is more movement from his other side, so he moves his eyes towards the noise. A man with a very impressive mustache and a younger man looked at him there. Both of them looked just as disheveled as the blond man.
"I'm getting the doctor." The younger man says, running out of the room.
Johnny's eyes follow him as he runs out of the door.
"Can you hear us?" The blond man asks, drawing his eyes again.
Of course he can hear them. He's looking at them, isn't he? He stares at the man, his obvious answers hanging in the air.
"Can you speak?" The blond man asks.
Again, of course he can. He just doesn't remember how to get his voice to work. But, yes, he can speak. Just not now. So he keeps staring at the man. The man is looking more and more panicked with each second that's passing.
"Soap?" Mustache man asks.
Does he stink? Does he need a bath? Who needs soap?
"Soap?" Mustache man asks again, tapping his shoulder.
Soap!? What kind of name is Soap!? It thought I was Johnny!?
Joh- Soaps eyes move from one man to the other, trying to understand what's happening.
"Calm down." The blond man pleads.
He can't stop his eyes from jumping from their faces.
What's happening? Who am I? Who are they? Why are they here? Why should I listen to them? Why do I want to listen to their calm commands?
"Step back!" Someone shouts.
It's the last thing he hears before his body seizes. Head whipping back as his teeth clench down on each other. Body shaking apart, pain flaring all over. His world goes dark as he feels his body being moved on its side.
Seeing Soap's body go slack and his eyes close after being stuck rolled up into his skull makes Ghost want to cry. The doctor and nurse move Soap to lay down on his back. Helping him settle back down.
"What happened?" Gaz asks.
"He was staring at us. Eyes jumping from Simon to me over and over. His heartbeat jumped, and then this. I don't know. He didn't say anything. He was just staring at us. No emotion was on his face. Nothing." Price explains.
"Like I said weeks ago, we aren't sure what damage his brain is in. For all we know, he didn't really wake up; he just focused on your noise and movements. Or he had trouble processing everything happening, maybe unable to process. We can't be sure. The brain is still a mystery."
Ghost listens, but his eyes never leave Soap's face. He looks calm—no pain, no stress. Having seen his emotionless face, eyes that don't have anything in them, makes Ghosts hope seep through his body. Soap waking up doesn't mean he is there. He's still not here.
"What do we do when he wakes up again?" Ghost asks.
"Give him the chance to process at his own pace. Give him time to speak first; ask questions first. If he doesn't, you can ask easy questions; that doesn't require long or hard answers."
Ghost nods, sitting back down next to Soap. Hand reaching out, holding his hand over Soaps beating heart.
"The seizure?" Price asks.
"It can be a side effect of the injury or just a temporary symptom. Again, time will tell."
Fuck Johnny. I hope it's not permanent.
He wakes with a start. A sudden, loud noise makes his eyes shoot open. His eyes move towards a black man kneeling on the floor, picking up crisps from the floor and placing them on a plastic tray. It must have fallen. The man looks worried as he cleans. When he's done, he stands and takes a short look towards him, then looks back at the tray. The man freezes and slowly looks back towards him. They stare at each other. For a few long seconds, nothing happens.
The man slowly moves towards the small table next to his bed. He places the tray on the table, then he moves to sit next to him. Their eyes never leave each other.
It's funny; he should be stressed. Some random man is in his room. Sitting next to him while he can't even get his head to move. But he feels at ease, like he could become good friends with this man. So he just looks at him, and he just looks back. It would be nice if he could speak to this man. Learn who he is and all that. If he could, maybe someday, but not now. He can't do that now. It doesn't feel right. So he's not going to try.
He looks at the man for a few more seconds, then he closes his eyes. He's a bit tired. Having to think so much is tiring.
Gaz curses internally as his tray falls to the floor. He just wanted to move it to the table. Price and Ghost have some meetings they have to attend, so he is with Soap alone today. He picks up the crisps that fell from the tray. Standing, he takes a quick look towards Soap, not expecting any change. He had to be fitted into ahead brace after he had another seizure. It hurts to see his brother like this, but he is happier knowing he's still kicking.
He doesn't expect to see open eyes looking toward him. He looks back towards the tray and freezer.
Just my imagination? Did I see correctly?
He slowly looks back, his heart jumping when he sees those blue eyes staring at him. Gaz stands there, a flood of emotion coursing through him as he looks at his brother. He takes some time to look at him. His face is emotionless, just like Price described it a week ago. It's frighting.
He walks towards the small table next to Soap's bed and leaves his tray there. He sits down on the chair next to Soap's bed, the one Ghost has been using for over a month now. His eyes can't leave Soaps, and Soaps stay on his.
Gaz watches as something crosses Soap's face. The emotionless mask fell, and a sense of ease settled on Soap's face. Gaz only gets a few seconds to appreciate the look, then Soap's eyes slip closed, and he's asleep again. Gaz watches him sleep. His own heart settled a bit. He's so glad he was able to see the emotion returning to Soap's face.
Price paces the small hospital room. Ghost is sitting next to Soap, like he usually does when he has some time. His hand over Soaps heart. He's just gotten off the phone with Laswell. They are needed for a new mission. They can't use Soap as an excuse. There are still three other members who aren't injured.
"So what's the plan, Captain?" Ghost asks.
"We have to go. It's a week, not far. Laswell has covered for as long as she could; it's time for us to go out." Price says, pace not stopping.
Ghost looks at Soap's sleeping face; since he woke up with Gaz, he hasn't opened his eyes again. That was two weeks ago. They removed the head brace again a few days ago. He hasn't had a seizure again. His colour is looking good again. It's just his muscle mass that's falling away each week, but that's not a problem. He's more than his muscles.
"If we need to go, we need to go. We still have a job to do. Soap will still be here when we get back." Ghost says, hand moving to run through Soups overgrown hair.
"Simon?" Price asks, finally standing still.
"I know; I would also like to stay here. To be here if and when he really wakes up. I just know he won't be happy if you use him as a reason not to help others." Ghost says, leaning over to place a small peck on Soap's cheek.
Price walks over to Ghost, places his hand on his shoulder, and squeezes. Ghost gives a small hum, taking Soap's hand. He moves it to his head, placing the limp fingers on his forehead.
"Stay strong, Johnny. We'll see you later." Ghost promises.
"Makarov is there," Ghost says.
"Have a shot?" Price asks.
Ghost side eyes Price, not moving his head.
"Yes."
"How many hostiles?"
"Four, including Makarov."
Price moves toward the other window. Looking through his binoculars.
"Gaz, set up. You take two, Ghost you take the other two." Price commands.
Gaz doesn't waste time setting up his sniper, kneeling by Price's legs.
"Makarov is mine. You take red and black. I'll take Makarov and blue." Ghost says.
"Copy." Gaz says, moving his sight to the man in red, the man in black right beside him.
"On my word," Price says.
Price watches as the four men move, opening themselves up perfectly.
"Engage," Price says.
Four shots ring out, and four bodies hit the floor. It took them five days to find this place. Makarov hid it well. Obviously thinking no one would find it. But he thought wrong.
"Let's go home," Price says.
"Did he wake up at all?" Price asks Laswell.
"No, he hasn't. Hasn't really done anything." Laswell sighs.
She's been making regular visits while they were gone. They arrived on base last night and only got the chance to visit him now. After all, the mission doesn't end before all the paperwork is done.
Price looks at Soap sleeping form. Moving towards the bed, he takes Soap's hand. He holds it as he sits down. A small, sad sound leaves his mouth. He doesn't want to be sad; he wants the hope to be stronger. The doctor said that it's good that Soap woke up before. His body just needs to rest longer.
So Price looks up, just being happy that Soap is still there. A small piece of him is also happy that they, mostly Ghost, haven't missed Soap waking up.
Ghost wakes up in the middle of the night. His neck is aching as he moves to sit up. He looks around to see what woke him up. A whine makes his head shoot back to look towards Soap. He's letting out whines as his head and body moves around.
Ghost wants to call out to him but knows he shouldn't. Ghost stands to switch on the lamp by Soap's side. When he sits down again, his hand automatically moves towards Soap, and Soap grabs his arm. A grip that's much weaker than he's used to but makes Soaps knuckles white.
Ghost looks from the hand clutching him to the blurry eyes he loves so much.
"G'st." Soap mumbles, voice week after not being used so long.
Ghost stays quiet. Waiting for the right time to speak. He doesn't know if this is right or if he'll stress him out. Ghost looks as Soap looks around the dimly lit room. He settles his eyes on Ghost, his eyes clearer as he looks over Ghost's face.
"G'st? I dn't no." Soap mumbles, his eyes closing like he's in pain.
Soap moves his head from side to side, like he's trying to clear it.
"Johnny?" Ghost whispers, so afraid to scare him.
Soap settles, letting out a long, slow breath. Then he opens his eyes, much clearer as they look at Ghost.
"Johnny?" Ghost says a bit louder.
A big smile spreads over Soap's face. His eyes are running over Ghosts face.
"Hi." He says his voice not as strong as he knows it should be.
"Hi love." Ghost says, his own smile spreading over his face.
Soaps smiling face brighten even more.
"I missed you, Johnny." Ghost says.
Soaps smile drops, making way for confusion.
"M's e?" Soap asks.
"Yes, but don't worry about that, love. Is your head hurting?" Ghost asks, remembering what the doctor told them.
Yes and no questions. Don't make him stressed, and don't make him answer hard questions.
"No," Soap says, shaking his head.
"That's good. Are you hungry?"
"No."
"Okay, want some water."
Ghost watches Soap smack his lips, suddenly feeling his dry mouth.
"'es"
Ghost smiles, grabbing a small cup and filling it with water.
"Drink slowly," Ghost says, holding the straw to Soap's lips.
Soap hums as he takes slow sips. Turning his head away when he's done.
"Good man, Johnny." Ghost smiles as he moves the cup away, placing it on the table.
"'ood. I' 'ood?"
The mumbled, broken words made Ghost sad, heart broken.
"You are good. So good, Johnny." Ghost smiles through his sadness.
The smile that spreads over Soap's face makes the sadness fade a bit. Soap keeps looking at him with his wide smile. Ghost can't help but smile back.
""o 'ood S'm'n?" Soap asks.
"I'm good, Johnny. I'm so happy." Ghost says.
Two more weeks pass before Soap is released from the hospital. His speech has improved, but he's still struggling with bigger words. His memory isn't good anymore; he forgets stuff a second after it happens. Or not recalling what happened the day before. He doesn't remember the mission with Makarov but was happy to hear that Ghost killed him. Gaz is happy to see Soap, and even happier that Soap is walking and talking. Price is overjoyed and heartbroken all at once.
He knocks on Ghost's office door, knowing both men are inside. As expected, Soap opens the door and smiles when he sees Price.
"You don't need to knock, Cap'n." Soap smiles.
Price looks at him with sad eyes, then looks towards Ghost, an understanding crossing between them.
"Sit down, Johnny," Ghost says as Price enters his office.
"Okay, what b'ings you here, Cap?" Soap asks as he sits down.
Price sighs, his hand running over his face. He holds up the forms, holding them towards Soap.
"Cap'in, sorry, you know I c't read." Soap says, his face turning red with embarrassment.
Unfortunately, Soap needs to learn how to read again. And he's struggling a lot to pick it up again.
Ghost moves to sit next to Soap, grabbing the folder for him. He removes the enclosed papers. Big, bold letters greet him. Words he was waiting for, knowing they were coming.
"Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish. Honorably Discharged. Effective immediately." Ghost reads slowly, just so Soap can understand.
"I'm getti' di'ar'ed? Now? why?" Soap asks, wide eyes looking towards Price in question.
"I'm sorry, son. Medical discharge. Nothing I or anyone else can do." Price sighs.
"Med'al?" Soap asks, looking towards Ghost.
Ghost is glad his mask is hiding his suddenly distraught face.
"Your head, love. It's time to give yourself some rest." Ghost tries to say it calmly.
"Head?" Soap looks around confused, until tears spring to his eyes as he remembers.
He scrubs the tears from his eyes, looking back towards Price.
"Sorry Sir." He says in a small voice.
"Don't be sorry, son. I wish I didn't have to hand these to you."
Soap looks towards Ghost. How is he supposed to leave him here? Leave his life at the 141.
"There is another form," Price says when he sees Soap's sad eyes watching Ghost.
"Remember we talked about this love? We go together." Ghost says, holding the other papers.
"Tog'ter?"
Ghost smiles as he holds his own discharge papers.
"I'm going with you. Remember when we talked about moving to the country? How peaceful it will be for us. I think I gave enough to the military; I think I have the right to follow you home." Ghost smiles.
"Home?" Soap smiles.
"Yes, son, you two are going home. It's been cleared; your home is waiting." Price smiles, a sad and happy one. He wishes his boys could be here forever, but he's happier for them to have their own lives.
Soap looks at Price with his own mix of happiness and sadness. He stands and grabs him in a hug.
"Thank you," he whispers.
Price squeezes him tighter for a second longer.
"It's time to go. Grab your stuff and clear your rooms. Your bus leaves at 3." Price says around the lump in his throat.
Soap steps back, holding his hand out to Ghost.
"You ready, love?"
"Yes, always."