Chapter Text
It's been a hot day in the end of august. At least back in London.
Probably.
Where Price and Gaz currently crawled through some mountains they froze trough their bones. Even the thick clothes they wore didn’t help them.
„Soap and Ghost are probably out there enjoying the sun.“ Gaz stuttered through clattering teeth. Price couldn’t help but grin. His sergeant was probably right, but the newlyweds deserved their time together.
„What did they say where they would go?“ Gaz asked, trying to keep his mind away from the biting cold.
„Uh I think Paris, for starters.“ Price wasn’t sure, but he knew Soap had talked Ghost into going on a honeymoon as the last thing they stated was a trip around the world, visiting cities they never got to explore in peace. He, personally, thought Paris was a bit of a cliche but who was he to judge? Although his city of choice would be Copenhagen, he too had a thing for the big cities he always was too busy to explore because of work.
„Cap?“ Gaz whispered, after he had heaved himself up and over the edge of the top of the mountain.
„Yeah?“ Price whispered back.
„I hear three voices. Male. In front of us.“
Price followed him over the edge, crouching down and forward, his weapon already in one hand. He knew he did not have to talk to Gaz about his plan. That’s what he loved about the sergeant. They didn’t have to talk about what they were about to do, they just knew what the other wanted do and what they had to do to help them.
So when Price took out two enemies with one shot, Gaz was already there taking out the last one with his knive. They looked at each other, nodded and walked on.
Somewhere on this mountain was an enemy base located. Laswell didn’t tell them where exactly but that was just because she didn’t know for herself. She was just to proud to admit it.
While crouching through the snow Price started to hum a melody. No song in particular, just what came to his mind. It made Gaz smile.
„Having fun, Cap?“ He asked teasingly. Gaz loved the way Price slowly got more relaxed. It didn’t matter that they were on a mission, to see the man he loved so relieved warmed his heart.
„A bit, yes.“ Price answered and continued humming until he heard the voices of other enemies. Gaz quickly positioned himself behind Price.
„Russians? Al-Quatala?“ He asked his captain and tried to make out what the enemies were talking about.
„Americans.“ Price whispered, a bit of surprise and anger in his voice.
They had found a hideout from the Shadow Company.
„I thought they were done after we killed Graves?“ Gaz was furious and who could be mad at him for that?
In the mountains they had found some kind of research facility from the Shadow Company. An organisation they thought was done with the death of their leader – Phillip Graves.
The facility itself was nothing too special. They found some intel they could use to search for Shepherd and some medical reports the both of them didn’t really understand.
Price watched Gaz as he walked up and down in the little office. It drove Price crazy but he let him anyway. He lit a cigar and leaned back in his chair. His habit of smoking drove Gaz crazy but Price thought through that they were even. As soon as Gaz heard the *click* from the lighter he stopped moving and looked over to Price.
„You know those things will kill you.“ He said with worry in his voice. Price just huffed and blew out some smoke.
„It’s either them or a bullet. What’s the difference?“ He knew it wasn’t healthy but he also couldn’t get rid of it. Gaz wasn’t the first one to complain about this.
„The difference is that I could still help you if it was a bullet. I could stop the bleeding and get you to safety. But I can’t stop cancer.“
Price just looked at him and took another draw from his cigar. He knew Gaz was right but he just didn’t want to stop it. It calmed his mind and he liked the smell and the taste of it. So he decided to change the subject.
„That arsehole was right.“ He simply stated and watched the confusion build on Gaz face. Price smiled into his beard and kept looking ar him.
„Alright, what are you talking about?“ Gaz sat down across from Price at the office table. He looked at his captain with his big, brown, curios eyes.
„Makarov.“ Price took another puff from his cigar. „We… talked and he mentioned the Shadows. Not by name, he told me Shepherd had some mercs that worked for him. Maybe I should have known.“
„How should you have known?“ Gaz looked at him with this shimmer in his eyes. He leaned over the desk to grab one of Prices hand and hold it, softly stroking his thumb over the back of his captains hand. „We all thought the Shadows were gone. Shepherd could have hired other mercs or founded his own group. You could not have known this.“
Price nodded and looked down at their hands. Although they were in the safety of his private office he still felt weird being close with Gaz while at work. On missions they both knew that there wasn’t room for their relationship. They were a captain and his sergeant. A well functioning team. On base they were more relaxed but still only a captain and his sergeant. Laswell was the only one who knew about this. Price wasn’t able to keep a secret from her. As much as he loved the touch the captain slowly pulled his hand away from the sergeants who suddenly looked like a kicked puppy.
„Don’t look at me like that, Kyle.“ Price said with a sigh. „We both agreed…“
„To keep a low profile. I know.“ Gaz interrupted him and stood up, the sadness from his face making room for anger. „But it’s just the two of us. No one would dare to burst in and no one can see us through the windows. It’s just.. it’s…“
„Frustrating?“ Price finished his sentence and watched his reaction. A secret relationship wasn’t new for him but it seemed like it was for Gaz. Either way it didn’t make things easier.
„Yeah…“ Gaz sat slowly down again. He knew what he had signed up for when he accepted his feelings and learned that Price felt likewise. But it was hard to always be so close to him and not be allowed to touch him. Hold him. Kiss him…
„I know how hard it is.“ Price interrupted Gaz' train of thoughts. The younger one looked up at him. „It’s not my first relationship that I have to keep a secret, but we both know if we make this official then they will start to think I’m favoring you and we would have to part our ways and that’s the last thing I want. I feel better when I have you near me. When I can see you during missions. Know your save.“
Price saw a slight smile build up around the others lips and he couldn’t hold back a smile himself. He just started wondering when Gaz got up and walked over to the door without saying a word. His heart beated faster in panic. Had he imagined the smile? Did he say something wrong? Why was he leaving so…
The click of the door being locked pulled him out of his thoughts and left him looking dumbfounded at Gaz. The younger one still didn’t say anything as he walked past Price and rolled the blinds down. Price wanted to ask what he was doing when Gaz turned to him and suddenly sat on his lap, his arms around Prices shoulders and leaning his forehead against the others. Price automatically grabbed Gaz‘ waist to hold him in place.
„Let us have this moment, please.“ Gaz whispered and brushed his nose over Prices cheek. Price tried to think. To stay reasonable. But what could he say? The door was locked. The blinds closed. No one could see them.
Why was he still fighting against it?
„Kyle…“ He started and was interrupted by soft lips meeting his own. Gaz was soft but demanding. He wanted attention now and he knew how to get it. One of Prices hand slowly started to wander from Gaz‘ waist over his back to his neck to pull him closer.
It was a knock on the door that made Price jump and Gaz fall on his ass. Price quickly apologized and helped him up but Gaz still looked hurt. Price wanted to say something but was interrupted by another knock.
„It’s alright. I’ll leave.“ Gaz simply stated and walked over to the door. He unlocked it and quickly left. Price sighed and looked over to the door.
„Kate, what an honor.“ He was a bit surprised to see her in his office. After all a flight from the US to England wasn’t the shortest.
„We need to talk.“ She stated and came in, locking the door behind her. Price sighed again and sat down in his chair.
Locked in the own office, again. Great.
„How can I help you?“ He asked and offered Laswell a glass of scotch. She just shook her head.
„The intel you found. We need to talk about that.“
„Didn’t seem too important, did it?“
„Oh, it was very important, John.“
„Alright.“ Price leaned forward and looked her in the eyes. „Enlighten me.