Ghost had decided that he, Alejandro, and Soap were going to camp out and rest for a while once they got back onto the mainland. They still had to wait for a vehicle to come to pick them up and take them back to Alejandro's base, so there was no harm in doing so. Alejandro took this opportunity to sleep in the only tent Graves gave them.
Ghost didn't know why Graves didn't just let them tag along with his team, but Graves was instant that the wait for their own people to come get them.
"Ghost?" His eyes find Soap's as he turns his head to look at the Scot.
"Sergeant." Ghost responded, his voice low to avoid disturbing Alejandro's rest in the tent.
Soap sat down on a nearby rock, staring at the ocean that was about a mile away from them, "You ever wonder why we do this? Risk our lives for missions that sometimes don't even make sense."
Ghost sighed, leaning against a tree. The weight of his gear felt heavier with the weight of Soap's words. "It's the job, mate. We signed up for it. Plus, that question will get you killed if you think about it in the field."
Soap grins at him, "Just askin', it's like my head is filled with shower thoughts right now."
His demeanor becomes serious again and he continues with his ridiculous questions, "What's the point of it all?" Soap's gaze remained fixed on the horizon, the vastness of the question hanging in the air.
Ghost thought for a moment before answering, "We're fighting for something greater than ourselves. Protecting those who can't protect themselves."
Soap nodded, but a hint of something lingered in his eyes. "I get that, but sometimes it feels like we're just pawns in a game we don't fully understand."
Ghost sighed again, the weight of the world pressing down on them. "We do what we're trained to do, Soap. We follow orders, complete the mission, and hope it makes a difference. We do what the higher ups don't want to do. We get our hands dirty so the world stays clean."
Soap nods to himself, seeming to be content with Ghost's answer.
"Why all these questions, Sergeant?"
"Just wanted to make conversation with you." Soap admits sheepishly, his hands fidgeting with a pocket on his cargo pants.
Ghost smiles under his mask, his eyes the only thing telling Soap his expression. "No harm in that. We've got time to kill anyway."
"I've got a few ideas on how we can kill time." Soap says, winking at Ghost. Ghost's brain halts as he realizes what Soap just said.
Did he just flirt with him?
He must be imagining things. Soap was just being friendly.
Ghost clears his throat, "I bet you do, Sergeant."
Soap chuckles, his grin widening. "Well, Ghost, we've been through a lot together. Might as well find some ways to enjoy the downtime."
Ghost smirks, playing along with the banter. "Just make sure your 'ideas' don't get us into trouble. We've already got enough on our plates."
Soap laughs, a genuine sound in the quiet night. "Don't worry, Ghost. I've got a sixth sense for trouble. Besides, where's the fun if we don't bend the rules a bit?"
Ghost shakes his head in a silent laugh. Soap could lighten his mood just about anywhere.
The banter between Ghost and Soap continues, providing a momentary escape from the weight of their responsibilities. Ghost appreciates Soap's ability to inject humor into even the most serious situations.
"You always know how to keep things interesting, Soap," Ghost says, a genuine warmth in his voice.
Soap grins, the night concealing most of his features but not the mischief in his eyes. "Gotta find joy where you can, Ghost. Keeps us sane in this crazy world."
"True that," Ghost replies, his tone reflective. "It's the little things that make the chaos bearable."
Soap stands and walks around the fire to sit down next to Ghost. Ghost tenses, unfamiliar with the closeness in a non-professional setting.
The Scot lies down on the grass, his gaze locked onto the sky above them. Slowly, Ghost does the same, feeling a little ridiculous, as if he was a child again.
For a while, they lay in companionable silence, the weight of the night and their shared experiences hanging in the air. The stars above twinkle.
Soap breaks the silence, his voice a low murmur, "Thanks for having my back, LT."
That surprises Ghost, his head turning slightly to look at Soap who just kept looking straight ahead.
"All a part of the job, Sergeant."
Soap's face scrunches at that, almost as if he was disappointed in the answer.
After a moment, Soap sighs, breaking the silence. "LT, we've been through hell together. I know it's the job, but it's more than that, isn't it? We watch each other's backs, yeah, but it's more personal than just orders."
Ghost hesitates, his gaze still fixed on Soap, "Yeah, Soap, it is. We're a team, friends even. But sometimes, it's hard to put into words."
Soap turns his head, his eyes meeting Ghost's, "I hope you know I've always got your back, LT."
Ghost smiles under his mask, "I know."
YOU ARE READING
You Have a Heart?: (Soap x Ghost)
Fanfiction(A re-telling of the Modern Warfare 2 campaign) All Ghost had ever known was war. He's sworn to himself never to trust anyone anymore. So when he meets Soap for the first time during an op, he's put off. He doesn't know what the guy wants from him...
