A/N: Based on the glitch that we all faced whilst playing the "Ghost Team" mission
The tunnels were quiet. Too quiet.
Kyle moved with the Ghost team, his boots making soft echoes as they tread through the narrow passageway
The air was damp and stale, and the further they went, the less light there was to guide them.
His vision, already blurry from the ongoing battle with his astigmatism, was only worsening in the dark.
He squinted, trying to make out the tunnels ahead.
The walls were a maze of concrete and pipes twisting at sharp angles.
Every movement felt like it was happening just out of his field of vision, like his eyes couldn't quite lock onto the image fast enough.
"Keep sharp, lads," Price's voice cut through the stillness, low and steady.
"We're in enemy territory. Eyes open."
Kyle nodded, though his vision didn't quite line up with the movement of his head.
He rubbed his eyes, a futile attempt to clear the fuzziness, but it only made the edges of the world more distorted.
Alejandro, walking beside him, looked over with a keen eye.
"You alright, Gaz?"
Kyle didn't respond immediately.
His eyes darted to the shadows ahead, the blur of shapes twisting
He could barely make out the outlines of his teammates.
He hated this feeling, like he was falling behind
"Yeah," Kyle muttered, not wanting to admit what was becoming painfully clear.
"Just... just a bit of a headache, Alejandro."
"That's not what I asked," Alejandro said, his voice sharper now, a hint of concern creeping in.
"You look like you're having trouble seeing."
Gaz clenched his jaw.
"I'm fine."
But the words were hollow, even to him.
Price, a few steps behind, paused.
His sharp eyes caught the exchange between the two.
He watched Kyle for a moment, then gave a slow, assessing glance.
"You sure about that, Gaz? You've been rubbing your eyes for the last ten minutes."
Kyle didn't meet his Dad's gaze.
He couldn't.
His vision was a mess, and Price had always been able to read him like an open book.
If he wasn't careful, he'd give himself away.
"I'm fine, Dad," Kyle snapped, a little too harshly.
He tried to push through it, but his eyes were still playing tricks on him.
He could've sworn he saw orange circles moving in his vision, but when he blinked again it was gone.
Alejandro stepped closer, placing a hand on Kyle's shoulder.
"Easy, hermano. No one's saying you're a liability, but we need you sharp. This mission it's too dangerous."
Kyle gritted his teeth, forcing the headache down as green lines and circles continued to plague his vision
He didn't want to admit it, but it was becoming harder to see through the distortion.
The walls felt like they were closing in, the narrow corridors twisting like they were alive.
He gripped his rifle tighter, trying to steady his hands, but everything felt off-kilter.
It was his eyes, screaming for relief, but he couldn't give in.
"We'll take a breather when we clear this sector," Price finally said, his voice low but firm.
"Stick close, Gaz. We get through this together."
Kyle nodded stiffly, forcing himself to move forward.
Price was right
They needed to keep pushing, keep moving.
He wasn't going to let anyone down. Not today.
They continued deeper into the tunnels, and Kyle could feel the pressure building.
Every step felt like a gamble, his vision a blur of darkness filled with sharp green blue lines and orange circles
At one point, he thought he saw movement in his peripheral vision.
His heart raced as he snapped his rifle up, but it was nothing, just a trick of the light.
Alejandro kept an eye on him, but didn't comment.
He knew better than to push.
But the silence between them spoke volumes.
Kyle felt exposed in ways he hadn't since the early days of joining the Task Force when everything was new and when he wasn't sure if he was going to past probation and selection
"Stay close, Son" Price's voice came behind him, grounding him.
Kyle forced a deep breath.
"Roger that,"
A figure appeared in the distance, just in front of his sight.
He froze, heart pounding. His brain screamed to react
Fire! but his vision wavered.
It was just the light wasn't it? Or was it a threat?
He hesitated, caught in a moment of indecision.
"Gaz!" Price's voice cut through the tension, but it was too late.
Without warning, the figure fired.
A bullet whizzed past, grazing the edge of Kyle's shoulder.
He ducked instinctively, heart pounding in his chest as the shot rang in his ear
Kyle's breath came in sharp gasps, adrenaline surging as his vision flickered.
Price was on him in a second.
"Stay down, Gaz!" His voice was steady, authoritative.
But Kyle couldn't stay down. Not this time.
He forced himself up, aiming with a steadiness he didn't feel.
His eyes were swimming, the target barely visible, but his finger tightened on the trigger.
One shot. One clean hit.
The Shadow dropped, silent.
Kyle exhaled shakily, his pulse racing.
He lowered his weapon, his vision still blurred, but the threat was gone.
He wiped the sweat off his brow, glancing at Price and Alejandro, who were still watching him closely.
Price nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes.
"Good shot. But don't let it get to you, Gaz. We clear this sector, we take a break. You need to get that looked at."
Alejandro gave him a look, his concern still visible, but he didn't say anything.
He simply patted Gaz on the back.
"We'll get through this, hermano. You're not alone in this fight."
Kyle took a deep breath, nodding. For now, that was enough. The mission was far from over, but so was the fight within him.
A/N: Price definitely dragged Kyle to the opticians once the mission was over. I can just imagine him doing so and also him having a Dad talk and word with Gaz for 3 hours which ended up with the pair of them bickering because Kyle thought Price was nagging him when really he was just looking out for him as a Father, I can just see it happening lol
I also have astigmatism too. That glitch is literally an accurate representation when I see bright lights or headlights from cars in the dark. Going out when it's dark is a literal nightmare for me with my eyes, much like Kyle in this fic.