Promises:
A promise was a promise, Ghost couldn't bear the thought of Roach breaking his.
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The blood-soaked shirt terrified him. Ghost pressed it harder into the groaning man below him, begging him to stay with him. Roach's face was so pale, almost translucent in the fading light from outside.
"Simon, it's ok..."
"Shut up Gary. We are not doing this." His hands were starting to shake. "Me and you, always. Don't go breaking your promises." The ring on his finger shone brightly in the blood. "You can't leave me." His voice broke.
"I don't think I have a choice." Roach smiled weakly, his hand touching Ghost's face. "I love you." Then his hand hit the floor with a dull thud.
"Gary?" Ghost asked. When he got no response panic started rising and he couldn't control it. "Gary?!" He shook the other man but got no response. "No, no, no, no. You can't..." He choked on the words as tears fell down his face. "Please..." He whispered but there was no answer.
"Ghost? Roach?" Soap ran into the room, stopping dead at what he saw. "Shit." The room shook with the force of an explosion and dust rained down on them. "We have to go!" He grabbed Ghost and tried to pull him up.
Ghost shook him off. "No! I can't leave him here alone!"
"He's gone Ghost!" Soap managed to pull him to his feet the second time. "And he wouldn't want you to die here too so let's move."
"We take Gary." He replied forcefully and he bent down to lift Gary into his arms. "I'm not leaving him here for those bastards to take."
"Ok, I'll cover you." Soap led the way as they left the building. "Extractions over this hill." He said as they started up the incline. "We better move before we're spotted. I don't fancy our chances with them all breathing down our necks."
They got to the carrier in one piece. Onboard, someone tried to take Roach away from him but Ghost refused. No one would take him away. He couldn't bear the thought of losing him forever, never seeing his face again. His smile, his laugh, his kisses... All gone.
Soap leaned over and felt Roach's neck but Ghost already knew he would find nothing. To his surprise, however, Soap's eyes widened. "Medic." He said before turning to yell it again. "Medic!"
"What?"
People surrounded them, forced him to let go and Roach was taken away. Ghost made to follow but Soap held him back. "You'll get in the way."
"He's not..." Soap smiled and relief swept through him, so sweet he collapsed back into his seat. Looking down at his blood-stained, shaking hands, Ghost started to laugh. Then it got cut off as he realised Roach wasn't in the clear yet.
"He'll make it." Soap said and he squeezed Ghost's shoulder. "We both know he's tough."
Ghost nodded, unable to speak. He only put his head in his hands and for the first time in his life, prayed that Roach would live. When they landed Roach was off the carrier just as the wheels touched down. Ghost wanted to follow but knew he wouldn't be allowed to so he waited with Soap until it was safe to dismount. By the time he got to the medical bay, Roach was already being operated on and he knew he couldn't enter. So instead he paced up and down outside, waiting for the moment he could go in.
"Ghost, go shower and eat something. It'll be hours before you can go in." Soap told him when he stopped by later on. "You look like shit."
"But-"
"I'll let you know if anything changes I promise."
After a long pause, Ghost nodded. He did as he had been told and showered, changed into clean clothes that weren't stained with Roach's blood and ate. He did it all on autopilot, his mind still with Roach in the medical bay. Within an hour he was back at the doors and was relieved to see Soap still there.
"No change." His Captain said before he could ask. "Sit down."
Ghost did and leaned back against the wall. "No bullshit, do you think he'll make it?"
Soap sighed and considered his answer for a while. "I don't know. He lost a lot of blood. We both know he's a fighter, if anyone can pull through, it'll be Roach."
"I hope your right." For a moment, Ghost felt himself spiralling as he imagined Roach dying again. "I can't live without him." He finally choked out.
"I know." Soap replied quietly.
Roach was his everything, his every reason to fight, to keep on going. He was the only person who truly understood him and made every day better just by being there. His smiles always help lift his spirits, even on the worst days. Ghost couldn't bear the thought of never seeing that smile again.
They sat in silence for hours, maybe even days. Ghost had lost all sense of time as they waited for Doc to tell them what was happening. Finally, the doors opened and he got to his feet but couldn't ask what he needed to know.
Soap did it for him. "Did Roach make it?"
"He's alive." Ghost felt himself wilt in relief and had to lean against the wall to remain standing. "But he's still under, it'll be a few hours before he wakes up. You can go sit with him though, just make sure you don't disturb anything."
Ghost carefully approached the cot where Roach lay. There were so many wires and tubes connected to him that he didn't dare touch him in fear of jostling something. So instead he sat down and looked intently at Roach's face. He was still so pale, but there was colour in cheeks now and the steady rising and falling of his chest was the best sight Ghost had ever laid eyes on.
He felt like crying but managed to keep the tears at bay. He had come so close to losing Roach it was hard to believe he was alive. But here he was, still breathing and still fighting.
Soap placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. "I'll come back and check on you later. Try to rest." He said quietly and then left.
A long time passed and Ghost didn't move, he just kept watching and waiting for any sign of change. But Roach remained motionless except for his breathing.
"Gary..." Ghost whispered, leaning in closer to the unconscious man. "I never got to say, I love you too. So you better wake up and then I can tell you, again and again, every day for the rest of my life."
"I like the sound of that." Ghost jumped at the sound of Roach's voice, rough and weak but he had heard it. Looking up, he smiled as their eyes met. "Hey, did I make it?"
"Yeah." Ghost choked on the word and grabbed Roach's hand as he lifted it, careful not to disturb the wires and tubes around him. "Welcome back Gary."
"How long?" He winced and his hand went to his throat. Ghost got up to find some water and helped him drink. "Thank you," Roach said, his voice already clearer. "How long has it been?"
"A day maybe, I don't know. I thought you..." The unbearable thoughts returned and he couldn't finish the sentence.
Roach reached out and took his hand. "I'm here, Simon. I made you a promise right?" He asked with a smile. "I don't intend to break it."
"Good." Ghost lifted his hand and kissed it.
"You know, I didn't quite catch what you were saying earlier. Could you tell me again?"
"Which part?"
"Oh, just when you said you loved me?"
Ghost laughed and the heavy feeling in his chest disappeared. Roach was going to be alright. Everything was fine. "I love you."
"I love you too."