Killing loneliness

Meryl Silverburgh X Johnny "Akiba" Sasaki: You're Safe Now

I don't own MGS4 characters, I just simply give them something new and change some situations. You could call it AU of sorts. In which Meryl never had crush on Snake. And she is more independent.

--------

Meryl Silverburgh had so much on her plate, she had to find new tactical planner for team who also had tech skills and make sure that it wouldn't end up her kicking that soldier out for being jerk to others. She found one soldier who had required skills but she didn't like it at all.

Meryl recognized the man that was quarding her at Shadow Moses. She knocked him out and stole his uniform to survive. He was way too easy to distract if he hasn't changed.

Johnny was without a group again. He's been thrown out from every single group and told to never come back. Meryl was only one that hasn't had him in group but he doubted that Meryl would allow him to be on her team. She was known as most strict commander and she wasn't afraid to use punishments on soldiers.

Meryl browsed and browsed through papers and came to conclusion she hated: Johnny Sasaki was his only option for all needed skills. So she decided to make hardest skilltests to just be mean to him and called him to try out.

Johnny was utterly nervous when Meryl explained him what he had to do. It was all on his skill field so it shouldn't be impossible to him if he was as skilled as he claimed to be. Meryl was watching and marking mistakes but she didn't notice any. Johnny solved everything and got best possible score so Meryl had to hire him.

Johnny was surprised nearly as much as Meryl when he heard that he'd be part of the team. Ed and Jonathan took him to have a little tour and they showed him his room. Johnny looked in awe and asked if that room was really for him or was it just a joke.

Ed and Jonathan were both taken aback by that so they said that Meryl doesn't joke around and he really had a room for himself. While Johnny was settling in his room and placing what little he had in his bag he cried a bit. He wouldn't last long and Meryl would fire him before he even had the chance to prove himself.

Ed and Jonathan told what happened with Johnny and Meryl was quite surprised. She went to see Johnny to have a little chat with him, afterall she had to know her soldiers. When she knocked on the door she heard muffled sniffles and hurried steps like Johnny tried to run to open the door.

Johnny was scared when he saw commander standing there. He gulped and stood aside to let Meryl in. Meryl looked around and saw how little Johnny had with him. And he had cried recently. Meryl did something Johnny never could've imagined and hugged him tight. For Johnny it was first friendly gesture in who knows how long.

Johnny calmed down a bit and he was still a bit unsure of the reason why his commander was there. Meryl thought a bit before she said: "Johnny, tell me why you were so surprised to have your own room. I know that there must be something because usually soldiers get their own rooms unless they want to have company. You seem like you've never had own room like this and this isn't even that good room. You only have bed, bedside table, table, chair, personal toilet and closet."

Johnny thought about it and told how he has been treated by his former commanders. They forced him to sleep in doghouse outside and he barely got anything to eat. He hasn't had the luxury to stay inside unless it was on field during missions if there was nothing for him to do outside.

He fell apart in front of Meryl, the one he loved so much ever since he first saw her. And Meryl looked at him, being shocked at how neglected Johnny has been. Meryl swore to make up her harshness on him little by little. "Wait here for a while, Johnny, I'll be back soon." she told him and left the room, leaving the door open so she could return without bothering Johnny.

Johnny wondered where Meryl went but decided that it was none of his concern, Meryl was the one in charge who could do whatever she wants. Maybe she just went to get whip to have him suffer because she thought that he lied. What he didn't know was that Meryl saw all of it in his sparkless and dully submissive eyes that looked down on the floor.

He put himself into waiting position when he heard that Meryl was returning. Meryl had brought Johnny some soup so she could feed him. She had soup bowl, buttered bread and some pudding in bowl on tray she carried. It was understatement to say that she was surprised to see him half naked and leaning over the table like he was being punished.

Meryl put the tray on bedside table and went to Johnny. Johnny begged that she would do it soon. Meryl pulled him off the table and took him to the bed, she made him sit on the edge and asked what that was all about. She has never seen that submissive soldier with such low self-esteem. Johnny said that he was waiting for a punishment.

Johnny was surprised to see tray on bedside table and he cried when he thought that Meryl would slap him now and tell him to man up already. Instead of slap he felt Meryl's arm around him and Meryl cried as well. She understood why Johnny was so sensitive. She also saw blush on his face when he realized that he was so near his crush that has been forever in his mind.

Meryl started to feed Johnny and she was stunned how hungry Johnny was though it shouldn't surprise her after everyrhing she heard from him. She took her time to feed him without any hurry and after his first proper meal he was getting tired. Meryl sized him up while he got himself ready for bed.

Meryl felt like she shouldn't leave her poor soldier alone so she did something to surprise him. "I'll come back when I take these away. Try not to fall asleep while I'm away." Meryl instructed him. Johnny sat on the edge of bed and waited. He didn't want to disappoint his commander so he stayed awake and waited.

When Meryl returned she saw Johnny sitting on the edge of the bed waiting loyally for her. Meryl had changed on her nighties and grabbed some for Johnny to use for night, thinking that she will have to buy him new clothes soon.

Johnny openly admired her beauty while she walked up to him to dress him for night. "Johnny, it's time for bed, I'll turn off the lights. If you need a bit of light, take this." said Meryl and handed him tiny flashlight that would light up a bit if he pressed the button.

Meryl turned off the lights and to Johnny's surprise Meryl curled up next to him. Her warm and muscular body protected him from everything he was ever afraid of and for first time he had night free of bad dreams that haunted him. Johnny was a bit scared of being in same bed as his commander but soon he forgot his worries when sleep got to him.

After peaceful night Meryl woke up and she saw how cute Johnny was, holding mini flaslight in his hands and sleeping his face buried in her shoulder. Meryl didn't move so she could watch over her soldier. She swore that she would protect him and hold him close to her. And if he wants to be, he'll be with her as more than just soldier.