Star-Crossed Lovers

Coming Home Pt. 2

When Simon and John went to Kyle's funeral, they tried their best to hold it together. Price was talking to Gaz's mom, when he saw the duo and their daughter.

"Excuse me, ma'am," the older Brit said, as he walked over to them. "Hey, John. How're you holdin' up?" He asked, as he hugged the Scot. "I'm holdin'. How aboot you?" Silence.

Price tried his best to hold the smile, but it eventually cracked and he cried into Soap's shoulder. "He was like a son to me...! It's not fuckin' fair!" He sobbed. "I know, Price, I know."

Destiny watched the interaction, as she held her Papa's hand. "Papa, why is Papaw crying on Dada?" She asked. "Oh, Papaw's just sad, sweetie." "Oh..."

"...Are ye sad?" The little girl looked up at the Brit, who was wearing a black medical mask. "...Yes, hun, I am sad." "Why are ye sad? Is it because Uncle Kyle went on vacation?" "Yes, Dezzi. That's right."

Price looked over at Simon and Destiny and stood up straight. He wiped his eyes and walked over to them. "Hello, Dezzi." "Hi, Papaw. Are ye sad?" "...Yes, luv, I am sad." The older Brit picked her up and held her. *I'm gettin' too old for this.* "Is it because Uncle Kyle went on vacation?" "Yes, Dezzi. That's exactly why."

Destiny noticed her Papaw's eyes started watering. "Papaw, dinnae cry. Uncle Kyle is happy, isnae he? So we should be happy fer him, also," she said. Simon and John looked at each other, then at their daughter. "Damn, I knew she was smart, but j'st... Wow." The Scot said.

Then it was time for the eulogies. Simon, Soap, and Destiny walked up to the podium. "Hello, everyone. My name is John MacTavish. I was a friend of Kyle, 'n' a fellow Sergeant. Kyle was a great friend, as much as he was an awesome soldier. He always looked oot fer his teammates. He loved t' tell jokes. Sure, some of them were awful, but that's what we loved aboot 'im."

John stopped and wiped his eyes. "He was taken way, way too soon. He was a brother to me... A brother that I'll never see again... We love and honor Kyle, forever 'n' ever." He was almost at the point of hyperventilation when he finished the eulogy.

They walked outside for fresh air (they left Dezzi with Price and Nik). "Luv, do you want a hug?" Simon asked his partner. "... I-I dinnae ken what I want... This is too much fer me..." "I know, Suds."

Soap looked at his lover. "Why aren't you cryin'?" "I want to be strong, for you." "But ye should let oot yer emotions, Si. It's not good t' keep it in." "I know, I know..." The two stood in silence as they looked at one another.

Then Simon let his emotions out. He crouched down and placed his hands over his eyes, as he cried. "There ye go... Let it oot, hun," John said to him. "I-I-It's not f-fair..." "I know, Simon. It's not fair. But it's th' reality." The Scot sat next to his partner.

"Gaz is gone, but not forgotten, aye?" He said in a soft voice. "... I guess you're right about that... for once..." Pause. "Is that humor I hear from ya, Si?" Soap said with a light chuckle. "... Maybe..."

"Are ye ready to go back inside, Simon?" "... Yeah, I think so..." "Okay, let's go."