Chapter Text
Ghost waited patiently for Price to show up. The man had told him to come to his office at 18:00, but he wasn't there. So, like any good soldier, Ghost sat at the chair in front of his captain's desk, waiting for his arrival.
Waiting.
When Price entered, Ghost perked up, sitting just a little straighter. The captain sat in his chair and looked at the man in front of him.
"Hello, Lieutenant. How's your arm?" Price asked.
"There's nerve damage. I can't move it as well as I used to, I'm sure you've already seen the medical records," Ghost reported. His captain nodded.
"I saw the reports," he said, "it doesn't look good..." All of a sudden, Ghost didn't like where this was going.
"Price, cut the bullshit and tell me what you're going to do," he told him. It sounded stern, but it felt like begging in a way.
"You're being honorably discharged," the captain answered, deciding it was good to rip off the bandaid. "Riley, the nerve damage messed up your reflexes and makes it harder for you to hold a gun. Not to mention the fact that the continuous stress on your body would do more harm than good to you. Plus, after Soap's death you haven't been as efficient. I'm sorry."
"I understand," Ghost replied. He bit back the urge to say some scathing words about his mention of Johnny. "When will I be leaving?"
"A month. Mae has written up your prescriptions and is arranging to have them in with your local pharmacy," Price stated. Ghost nodded.
"I'm moving back to Manchester, so I'll give her my new address," he answered. His captain hummed.
"Miss your hometown?" he questioned, a smirk beginning to settle on his face.
"Something like that," Ghost said as he began to stand up.
"Something like that..." Price echoed. "Oh, before I forget," he called after him, "you've got a dog now. Her name's Riley, she'll be your emotional support dog."
"Excuse me?" Ghost queried, stopping in the doorway. He must've heard wrong or something. Maybe—
"I know, I know. You 'don't need an emotional support dog' and you're 'perfectly fine' but she'll be good for you. She's ex-military and not support-trained, but she'll help you keep a new schedule. I know you like those," Price clarified, chuckling to himself at the last bit. Ghost resisted the urge to groan.
"Understood, sir," he said instead.
"Good."