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Ghost wasn’t known for sleeping, in fact the opposite. The man really was a ghost. Never once did someone see him doze off or take a quick nap. He was barely in his headquarters either and always taking night shifts. It was getting incredibly unhealthy. And Ghost knew that. He does sleep, rarely, but every now and then he’ll slip in a nap or just rest his eyes. He just doesn’t do it around people, makes him feel vulnerable and open, which is something Ghost would never let happen. When he does sleep, he’s always waken with a nightmare. He hates the feeling, so he does everything in his power to ignore it and continue with his day. So sleeping wasn’t an option. He swore to himself never to let his guard down.
Ghost was currently in a briefing with the rest of 141. Price was going over everything for their next mission. Ghost was listening, at least trying. Everything was becoming fuzzy. Everything hurt, mostly his eyes. He was busy with his own paperwork but it was continuously becoming harder as the words seemed to scramble together. Finally resting his head on his hand, he lowered his guard. He knew he could trust the people in this room.
Ghost fought that entire meeting to stay awake, with all the boring paperwork, Price’s soothing voice, and running on zero sleep, somehow he managed to make it to the end.
His brain was scrambled by the time it was over, to the point where he didn’t know it was over. People were dismissed and leaving but Ghost was still fighting. He barely touched his paperwork, and he wasn’t leaving til it was finished.
His head was heavy as well as his eyelids. His body was slowly shutting down, all the muscles in his body relaxing as his head lulled to the side. He quickly snapped back. He needed to get a grip, he could not be sleeping on the job. Especially a job where lives were constantly on the line.
But of course that thought left as soon as it came and his body continued to shut down. His eyes constantly fluttering open and closed. He was losing this fight as his body stopped listening to his brain. In one go a wave of exhaustion hit him like a bus. His eyes slipped closed for good as his hand slipped from under him. Ghost had lost his battle to stay awake and slipped into a state of unconsciousness.
When Ghost awoke, he was still in the same briefing room, paperwork and everything still laid in front of him. He let out a sigh as he nuzzled into something warm. Something warm? He could have swore his head hit the table. Or did it? He doesn’t actually remember what happened after he knocked himself out. But what he nuzzled into wasn’t his hand.
A little chuckle could be heard next to him. Ghost jerked up, now wide awake, realizing he let himself slip. His head snapped to the intruder next to him only to be met with a goofy smile and a dumb mohawk.
“Mornin L.t.~” Soap cooed. All Ghost could feel was shame and embarrassment. Shame for letting himself sleep, and embarrassed because Soap was the one that caught him.
“Shit- sorry ‘bout that Soap.” He was so glad he wore a mask because his face was definitely flushed red, but that didn’t stop Soap from noticing.
“Aww, Is The Ghost embarrassed~” Soap snarked, this time in a more teasing manner. He had moved his hand away to support his own head.
“Do you want to lose your figures Sergeant.”
“No sir.” Ghost only grew redder watching the man's smile continue growing and a chuckle escape him.
“It’s alright Ghost, sorry I startled you.” The man continued to chuckle while Ghost stayed silent, glaring at the floor. Now rather than fighting himself not to sleep, he was beating himself over letting such a slip up happen. Soap could definitely tell something was happening in the other man's head.
“Ye know Ghost, we’re worried you’re not getting enough sleep. I’m worried you’re not getting enough sleep.” Soaps puppy like demeanor was immediately replaced with a serious one.
“I’m fine Soap.” He wasn’t.
“Clearly you’re not. I don’t know why you hold yourself back so much, but sleep is important for almost everything. You wanna perform your best L.t., sleep is just what you need. Good for your mental health too, and don’t tell me you don’t struggle with that either.” Ghost could only nod his head. He knew he needed sleep, but a part of him was afraid of the world waiting if he did.
Ghost watched as Soap slowly stuck his arm back out to him, a light blush spreading on the other man’s face.
“Ye know, if you want, we could stay here and you could rest a bit longer. I’ll make sure nothing bad’ll happen to you, I’ll fight those nightmares off, I’ll make sure- '' Before he could finish Soap felt a hard force hit his shoulder. A startled noise escaped him as his body jolted. He could feel the other man chuckle against him.
Ghost had decided to completely rip his walls down, well Soap pretty much did it for him. Currently it was Simon peeking through the rips and tears. Now cuddled up to Soaps side, there’s nothing more Ghost would want more than A goods night's sleep. Letting his guard completely loose, Ghost knew if there’s anyone that could protect him, it would be Soap.
“Take all the time you need.” Soap’s hand now comes up to cradle his face, almost in a way to tell Ghost that he has him, he’ll support him anyway he can. Ghost got the message and further buried himself in Soap's arm. Ghost had a thought about taking his mask off, but this wasn’t the place or time. He would show Soap sometime in the future and he made a mental note of that.
The sleep came back to Ghost faster than ever before, while Soap gently stroked his mask while whispering sweet nothings. Ghost basically purred as he’s never felt so content in his life. Finally allowing himself to drift into a comforting sleep knowing he’s protected and safe in Soap's arms.
After…
Ghost: Did I hurt your arm?
Soap: Yea, but it was worth it watching you get your beauty sleep~
Ghost: Oh for fucks sake Soap.