After the success of destroying the fortress in Prague, things became quiet for a while. They had Makarov on the back foot and Ghost was starting to feel hopeful it would soon be over. Once that happened, he could go home.

And wasn't that a crazy thought?

His home had been the base for so long, it was strange to now realise there was somewhere else to go, somewhere to retire to and do something after the military. Someone to share his life with.

Said someone was currently arm wrestling with Meat in their temporary quarters in Cambodia. The task force had been loaned out to help deal with the local militia there in the jungle. Ghost watched proudly as Roach slammed Meat's fist down on the table and cheered victoriously. A lot of people underestimated Roach because of his size and appearance but Ghost knew better than anyone that the sergeant was strong. Not just physically but mentally too. He had always been a solid presence in Ghost's life, someone stable and comforting since the day he appeared.

The weight of the velvet box in Ghost's pocket seemed to double, making its presence known once again. He absently touched the pocket to reassure himself and sighed. Still working up the courage to ask, even though it had been months since Amber's wedding. The scariest thing he'd ever considered doing.

If Roach said no… well, he could always reenlist.

They both had guard duty that night and leaning together comfortably in the warm, muggy air, Ghost watched Roach staring at the jungle in what seemed like awe. "Why do you find it so fascinating?"

"Oh come on, you're not at least a bit curious about the jungle?" He tore his eyes away to look at Ghost incredulously who shrugged. "You're so boring."

"It's not my first time in a jungle. And I'm not boring."

Roach laughed. "What were you doing?"

"One of my first missions, we had to find a guy called Bacia who was involved in slave trading. This place is luxurious compared to camping on the jungle floor. I've got a scar from a snake bite, lucky it wasn't poisonous." He pulled up his sleeve to show Roach the scars. "Would've been a shame to die before I met you."

Roach smiled, turning back to watch the jungle. Ghost swore he was blushing but it was hard to tell in the dim lighting. "How do you always manage to turn everything into a compliment?"

"It's not hard when everything about you is complimentary."

"Stop it!" He laughed. "You make me feel bad for not saying anything back."

"I don't need you to." Ghost caught him around the waist and gave a soft squeeze. "I already know how you feel. I just like complimenting you."

"You better focus or we'll be in trouble," Roach said warningly and regrettably, he moved away. "How long do we have left?"

"Two hours."

"Sucks." Roach sighed and stretched. It was like he was teasing Ghost on purpose. "Wanna play eye spy?"

"Whatever passes the time."

When Royce and Ozone relieved them, they found most of the task force asleep. It was a quiet walk across the dorm room to their assigned bunks. Roach however risked kissing him quickly in the dark, smiling against his lips as Ghost touched his back.

Roach broke free and whispered, "Goodnight, Ghost." Before climbing into the bunk below Scarecrow, leaving Ghost to find his own bed across the room.

He woke early the following morning well before daybreak. Nerves fluttered insistently in his stomach as he got up and changed. Today was the day. Moving silently across the room to where Roach lay sleeping, Ghost shook him. "Roach, wake up."

He groaned and rolled away, slapping at his hand. Not to be deterred, Ghost kept prodding, eventually tickling his ribs. He had to cover Roach's mouth to stifle his laughter.

"Come on, there's something I want to show you."

"Can't it wait?"

"No, get up lazy." He helped Roach up and changed in the semi-darkness. "Quietly, is rather we got out before the others wake up."

"Where are we going?" Roach pulled down his shirt and blinked at Ghost sleepily. "You're acting weird."

"Patience, love."

It was easier to relax outside in the cool morning air. Soap was waiting for them as planned at the gates, grinning broadly. "Don't be too long, we've got recon at nine."

"We'll be back long before then." It wasn't far and Soap knew what he had planned. Their Captain nodded and stepped aside, slapping Ghost's shoulder with a wink but thankfully said nothing. Down the overgrown trail, Ghost spotted the marked tree he'd been told about and veered off into the jungle, helping Roach over a fallen tree. "It's not far now," He explained when Roach looked at him questioningly.

"What's not far?"

"If I told you, it would ruin the surprise."

Roach mumbled something but Ghost was too busy picking out their path to catch it. For a while, he feared he'd gotten them lost but finally they broke out onto a small clearing that overlooked the valley. The sun was starting to rise, bathing everything golden and Ghost smiled at the awed sound Roach made.

"Wow. How did you find this place?"

"One of the local Sergeants was talking about it. I asked him where it was, thought you'd like to see it." Roach glanced at him, sunlight turning his hair gold and eyes iridescent. He was beautiful and Ghost found a little more room in his heart for Roach to reside. "You're supposed to admire the view."

"I like this one better." But he turned to look out over the valley again. "It really is beautiful."

"I know."

"You're supposed to be looking too, not at me."

Distracted by the view, it gave Ghost enough time to screw up the courage and get down on one knee. Roach's head immediately snapped around and he looked at him with wide, surprised eyes. "Gary-"

"Yes." He blurted out but then covered his mouth when Ghost laughed. "Shit, are you not..."

"I am but I've got a whole speech prepared so let me say it first."

Roach nodded and pressed his lips together, rocking backwards on his feet. It took Ghost a moment but then he started again, encouraged by Roach already saying yes.

"Gary, you captured my heart from the word go. When you smiled at me that first time at the shooting range, I was a goner. All these years I've been falling in love with you as you opened up to me." Ghost hesitated, searching Roach's face but he didn't find anything negative there, only happiness. "I still can't believe you're mine."

Ghost pulled the box from his pocket and Roach's mouth opened but he said nothing.

"Marry me, Gary. Spend the rest of your life with me. Because I will never stop loving you like this. I don't want to spend a single day without you by my side." When he still didn't say anything, Ghost laughed, trying to cover up how nervous he was. "You can say yes now."

"Yes," Roach whispered, falling to his knees next to him. "Of course, yes!"

He cupped Ghost's face and kissed him. Sweet relief and elation filled his chest as he responded, wrapping an arm around Roach's waist to pull him closer. "You're so beautiful, Gary."

"You - are - so - perfect." Roach punctuated each word with a kiss and then buried his face in Ghost's neck.

Ghost laughed then got to his feet, pulling him up too. "Alright, let me get this ring on your finger. It's about time after all." Taking Roach's hand he gingerly slid the ring on and kissed his palm. "Perfect."

"What am I supposed to say to the guys?" Ghost pulled out a pair of fingerless gloves in answer. "You always think of everything." Roach slid them on and flexed his fingers. It made him sad to see the ring hidden but it was the best.

"It's my job. But you can always put it on your chain." He hooked his fingers under it and tugged Roach closer. "Or we could come clean."

"Soap asked us to keep it private. You'd get accused of abusing your position if the higher-ups found out."

Ghost rolled his eyes. "Yes because it wasn't you who sent me a video saying you loved me and wanted me to fuck you first."

"You were just waiting for an excuse." Roach grinned and kissed him chastely. Ghost couldn't help pulling him closer when he tried to break away. "We should get back before the others start to worry."

"Mmm, I think we've got a few more minutes yet." He wasn't ready to go back yet. If he could live in that moment forever, he would have. Roach seemed to agree because he stayed in Ghost's arms for a further five minutes before pulling away. "I really hope we find this intel to get Makarov." Ghost murmured, lips brushing Roach's nose. "Because I'm so ready to retire and spend every day doing this."

"Stay alive then." Roach got out in a strained voice before hugging him tightly. "Please."

"Of course." Now he had something to live for, Ghost had no plans on losing it.

"Good. Now we really should get going." He grabbed Ghost's hand and the feeling of the ring between their fingers brought a smile to both their faces.

The trip back seemed to take barely any time. Now he was no longer nervous, Ghost found the walk quite enjoyable. Soap was waiting for them at the gate and looked expectant. "I take it everything went well?"

"We're holding hands aren't we?" Ghost gave Roach a quick smile before raising an eyebrow at Soap. "I hope you're ready to be my best man."

"I never thought I'd see the day." Soap pulled them both into a hug. "Congrats, lads. Celebrations will have to wait though, we've got a job to do."

"Duty calls." Roach extracted himself and with a quick kiss to Ghost's cheek, ran off to join the others.

Once he was out of earshot, Soap slapped Ghost on the back with an approving smile. "Didn't think you had it in you. You, married?"

"Yeah, still trying to wrap my head around it myself." He still had trouble believing his life was real sometimes. "And I beat you to it."

"Hey now, don't go bragging. I'll find myself a nice lass eventually."

"Eventually." Ghost ducked the next slap, headed towards the building and called over his shoulder, "Come on, let's get this done."

The mission went off without a hitch and within a week they were back at the base.

Ghost however had more plans to put into action, mainly getting a couple of weeks off to go visit Roach's family. It had been months since their last holiday and he knew Roach wanted to tell them about his engagement in person. With their current lull, it was the perfect time.

Price approved the request with minimal fuss, smiling as he read through the paperwork. "Engagement, huh? Roach is tougher than I thought, agreeing to marry you."

"Okay, neither of you can talk shit about this," Ghost pointed at both the Captains who were grinning at him. "You're both single and have never been married. I'm the only one in a steady relationship here."

"With your subordinate."

"Shut up." Ghost threw a pen at Soap who easily ducked it. "Point is, I'm the one who will end up married first. So I don't want to hear any more shit about it."

Soap leaned over to Price and stage whispered, "is he trying to brag about being tied down?"

"I think so. Don't see the appeal myself." Price shook his head and signed off the request. "Marriage is far too much work for me."

"Aye, who would put up with you?" This time, the pen hit him square in the forehead and he almost fell off the desk as he flinched back. "Hey!"

Price ignored him. "Alright, Ghost, go break the good news to Roach. We'll hold down the fort until you get back."

Roach was ecstatic about the news. "You're the best!" He exclaimed when Ghost told him, kissing him quickly because they were out in the open at the time.

"I believe that's you, love." Ghost grinned smugly and pulled Roach close, hands moving to his ass. "Definitely the best ass at any rate."

"Keep your hands to yourself, Lieutenant." Roach plucked them off and retreated a few steps. "Or we'll get in trouble."

"It'd be worth it."

Roach chose not to respond as he walked away. He knew Ghost too well apparently. Ghost chose to watch silently instead until his Sergeant was out of view before heading for the office. He had a week to get everything in order before the two captains inevitably messed everything up in his absence, better to get started sooner rather than later.