Chapter Text
Price rubbed at his eyes and took another drink of bourbon before focusing again on the report in front of him, typing blindly. He and Ghost had the unfortunate task of reentering a mountainous stack of reports that got lost from the system. The original digital copies had been wiped for emergency security reasons and when they’d tried to get the copies, they’d found some negligent, fossilized jackass had forgotten to pass them into the correct shared system or didn't bother to backup the copies he had. And also, it turned out, “accidentally” deleted a boat load of files to make room for more.
At least they had the physical copies, which had been safe in highly protected storage, so they weren’t completely fucked, but it was still a very lengthy and frustrating process to retype all of them. Being a specialized little group with no funding and even less respect, despite all their achievements, they basically just had to deal with it. They couldn’t even just scan the reports because higher ups wanted the copies and refused to accept the scans. More fossilized assholes forcing subordinates, namely Price and Ghost, to deal with problems they hadn’t actually created.
They’d been at it all day and night and it was the early hours of the morning now. Price had just one more to finish for the day before finally getting some sleep and he was sure Ghost was either right behind him or already done. Ghost had taken the larger number thanks to being quicker at typing and Price intended to reward him for being such a team player. Maybe with a nice bottle of poison.
A knock came at the door and Price called for Ghost to come in. He shuffled in with a box of files to put in the completed stack which was thankfully much bigger than the not complete stack.
“About done?” He grunted as he stretched his back.
“Aye, finishing up the last one,” Price confirmed, “Go on and get some sleep, I’m right behind you.”
Ghost grunted in confirmation and shuffled to the door.
“Good night, Simon,” Price said as he opened the door.
“G’night, daddy,” Ghost answered as he stepped out.
He closed the door and it took Price two full minutes with his sleep deprived mind to register what Ghost had just called him. His head whipped around to the door even though Ghost was long since gone. He blinked widely a few times before shaking his head aggressively.
Did he mishear that? Even if he didn’t, it was still just an honest mistake. Either way, didn’t matter. Price finished his drink with a big gulp and pushed it from his mind to focus on finishing the last report.
~
Price had an interesting dream concerning the mistake Ghost made the night before that had him nearly holding his breath when the lieutenant shuffled into the officer’s kitchen the next morning.
“Morning, Simon,” he muttered.
“Mornin’, sir,” Ghost answered.
Sir was at least better than daddy and correct for their line of work, but somehow even it had Price squirming inside. He shook his head and drank his tea. Ghost shuffled over to sit with him to drink his own.
“Should finish today,” he murmured.
“Aye, can’t see why we wouldn’t when you’re that fast,” Price agreed, “It’s pretty impressive.”
“I was typin’ at a young age,” Ghost admitted, shrugging, “Mum’s hands were fucked. I typed her stories for her. Started with a typewriter actually, before…before it got broken.”
Price tried not to react visibly to this information. Ghost didn’t talk about his past much, only revealing very rare tidbits and Price had never heard anything about his childhood specifically. Everything Price knew was by accident from reading his file. It was extraordinarily high praise to have Ghost willingly give him this information and Price could’ve proudly puffed out his chest.
“Well, it’s saving my arse,” he snorted, trying to pretend his heart wasn’t suddenly three times bigger.
“Good to hear,” Ghost said blandly, “Would hate to lose any of your arse-ets.”
“Christ, Simon,” Price groaned, shaking his head.
Ghost’s lips twitched up as he glanced at Price, before he hid his mouth behind his cup again. Price couldn’t remember exactly when Ghost had started only having the hood on his hoodie blocking any part of his face when they had their morning tea, but it had been a while and yet it still managed to surprise him to see Ghost’s bare smile. It was a pleasant surprise though.
They finished their tea, did a little pt, had breakfast, and then headed back to Price’s office. With Soap and Gaz on mission, it was rather quiet on their tiny base. It was an old abandoned outpost that had been gifted to them. It was less than impressive and could really use some upgrades, but it was finally a secure permanent base for the 141 that they could call home. Just less of a home feeling when they weren’t all there. A bit more lonely.
“See you in a few hours, I guess,” Ghost muttered as he gathered up boxes.
“You could stay,” Price suddenly offered, “Use my laptop here.”
He gestured at the table he used when he was working while eating. Ghost hesitated, glancing at the door, but then shuffled over to the table, putting down his boxes. A stupid knot in Price’s chest unraveled and he carried a box to his desk to start working.
Although he was exhausted from the day before and still a little unsteady about the dream he had, this was a much better arrangement. He was more alert with Ghost nearby and being able to exchange some words now and then made him feel less stupidly lonely. He also preferred being beside him to remind him to take breaks, particularly at lunchtime and also bring him water and snacks, all of which Ghost distractedly accepted without fussing.
It felt like the work went faster too. By dinner time they were finally done and Price was very relieved. He made sure to make several separate copies so hopefully they would never have to do this again before sending them off to the people who needed them.
“Let’s go get somethin’ to eat,” he suggested as they left his office, “You wanna run into town?”
“Beats tryin’ to cook,” Ghost muttered tiredly, shrugging.
“My treat then,” Price offered as they headed to the parking lot.
“Better be,” Ghost grumbled.
Price snorted. They got in his car and headed toward the nearest town. Ghost fell asleep against the door almost as soon as they started out and Price winced. Maybe he’d get two really good bottles of poison for him.
He picked up some hopefully easy to eat food and drove to the smallest, emptiest park he could find. The food would be cold by the time they got back and if they idled somewhere eating in the car, they’d likely get accosted by law enforcement and have to explain again that they technically lived nearby and definitely weren’t causing trouble. But if they ate at a park they’d probably be fine as long as they didn’t stay too long. Price gently shook Ghost awake and coaxed him out to a picnic table. Ghost legitimately struggled to eat with how tired he was.
“You can have the day off tomorrow,” Price promised regretfully.
“Thanks,” Ghost mumbled, “Can you cut this, daddy?”
He pushed his food at Price who swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. Not just because he had he called him daddy again. He’d trusted Price enough to ask for help. He never asked for help. Price felt a bizarrely giddy feeling in his chest, so pleasantly surprised despite his embarrassment.
“Yes, ‘course, whatever you need,” he murmured, ignoring his burning face.
He cut up Ghost’s food and pushed it back toward him. Ghost ate a little easier after that and Price tried not to openly stare at him while he did.
When they were finished, they went back to the car and Ghost went to sleep again for the drive back. When they got there, Price woke him again and got out. Ghost didn’t follow immediately and Price went around to see what was wrong, opening his door. Ghost startled a little and then looked up at him, blinking sleepily. Price leaned in to unbuckle his seatbelt.
“Come on, lad,” he coaxed, “Time for bed.”
Ghost wrapped his arms around Price’s shoulders and buried his face in his neck. Price froze in surprise briefly before hesitantly getting his arms around Ghost. Ghost was really way too big for this, but Price, with some difficulty, managed to pull him out of the car and haul him up into his arms. Ghost wrapped his legs around him and hummed into his neck.
Price kicked the car door closed and carried Ghost into the base, trying not to groan about his back. They were both too old for this and Ghost was a big lad. But he had been such a team player and was so exhausted, Price couldn’t deny him this. Especially not considering Ghost had put a lot of trust in him to let his guard down like this. Price didn’t want to squander it.
He took Ghost to his cot and got him out of his boots and jacket and tucked into his sheets. Then he started to stand, turning away.
“Daddy?” Ghost mumbled.
Price looked back at him. His eyes were still closed, but his head was turned toward Price. Price swallowed dryly and brushed his hand over his hair.
“Yes, Simon?” He said softly.
“Did I…do good?” Ghost asked.
“Yes, you did,” Price assured him, petting his hair, “You were a very good boy.”
Ghost seemed to relax into his bed, a tiny smile twitching up on his pretty scarred lips and Price found himself smiling too. He leaned in and kissed Ghost’s forehead before finally getting up and leaving. He felt dazed and like his own exhaustion was suddenly slamming into him now that Ghost was taken care of. He barely made it to his own bed before he was passing out.
~
As far as Price could tell, Ghost did not remember any of his half-asleep words. He worked and joked the same as usual. Which was fine with Price, because he wasn’t sure how they would deal with it if he did remember. He was also doing his best to just act normal, despite the rise of new fantasies he was having. Well, except for praising Ghost a little more often. It seemed like something he might need, but didn’t want to ask for.
Things just went back to normal for about a month until Price finally managed to get Ghost those nice bottles of poison. Since everyone was on base, Ghost suggested they all drink together and it was a great idea. They talked and laughed for hours before lights out and then past it too, because they were having such a good time.
Eventually though, Gaz dragged Soap back to their shared bunk, leaving Ghost and Price in the common room. They knew better than to follow too closely behind the pair when they’d been drinking. The barracks would be filled with noises they’d rather not hear for at least a half hour. Damn rabbits those two.
Price was just trying to decide if maybe sleeping there on the couch would be so bad when Ghost suddenly moved toward him. He scooted up beside him, pressing into his side and rubbing his face into his shoulder. Price dazedly wrapped his arm around Ghost’s broad shoulders, humming vaguely and Ghost wrapped an arm around his middle as he settled down. Sleeping there on the couch seemed just great actually.
“Daddy?” Ghost said, muffled into his shoulder.
“Yes, Simon?” Price murmured.
“Am I still a good boy?” Ghost mumbled.
“Yes, you are,” Price assured, head tilting toward him, “You’re always my good boy.”
He kissed Ghost’s forehead and leaned his cheek against his head, eyes slipping closed. When he woke up he was alone, but Ghost didn’t seem upset or embarrassed when they met in the kitchen for tea. Just hungover. Price hoped that meant he forgot because he didn’t want to deal with it. Mostly because he didn’t want to worry over the possibility of losing Simon because of it.
~
Price continued to do his best to be sure Ghost knew he was good. He praised him at every opportunity, but was careful not to embarrass him in front of the sergeants about it. Ghost seemed perfectly fine with it or rather, he didn’t react much at all, for about a month. But then he started throwing glares at Price, knocking his hand off when he patted his shoulder or back, and even outright scoffing at some of the praises or telling him to piss off.
Price didn’t want to overstep, so he stopped, hesitantly. But that didn’t seem to help. Ghost seemed to get more and more agitated and tensed up to the point even his emotional support animal (Soap) didn’t seem able to calm him down. Price was very sure it was his fault, so he knew he had to deal with it. That didn’t make him happy about it as Ghost came to stand in front of his desk though.
“Sit, please,” he said.
Ghost sat. He looked like a statue. He was so tense and still. Price’s heart ached.
“Ghost, we need-” he started.
“Don’t call me that!” Ghost snapped.
Price raised an eyebrow at him and he looked down, gripping the chair between his knees tightly.
“You call me Simon, only Simon,” he muttered.
“Okay, Simon,” Price corrected, “We need to talk about why you’re so upset with me.”
“No, we really don’t,” Simon dismissed petulantly.
“We do,” Price insisted, “It’s not fair for you to have to be upset, just bottling up these feelings. Especially since it’s obviously my fault. I want to fix it. If you’ll let me.”
Simon took a breath, eyes closing.
“It’s stupid,” he said quietly.
“Not if it upsets you,” Price disagreed, “Or rather, I should say just because something seems stupid doesn’t mean you’re not valid for feeling upset by it.”
“I…I just want you to call me a good boy again,” Simon admitted, voice small and ashamed.
“I thought I was,” Price said.
“No, you weren’t,” Simon said tersely, “You were sayin’ everythin’ but that. Good lad, good man, good job, attaboy, well done. Not good boy.”
He huffed, shifting uncomfortably in his seat like he was embarrassed.
“I…didn’t want to embarrass you in front of the sergeants,” Price admitted, “And I honestly thought you didn’t remember me saying it before.”
“Well, I do,” Simon grumbled.
It was heartbreaking to Price how small such a large man could look. He got to his feet and came around to stand in front of him, taking his face in his hands to make him look up at him. Simon’s eyes fluttered open and stared pleadingly up at him. It was so obvious how badly he needed to be praised. My poor boy, Price thought.
“You’re a good boy, Simon,” he said softly, thumbs running over the fabric that covered his cheekbones.
Simon shuddered and his eyelids drooped.
“Thank you, daddy,” he whispered.
He lurched forward, shoving his face in Price’s belly and wrapping his arms around his legs like a toddler hugging an adult and Price wrapped his arms around Simon’s shaking shoulders.
“Shh, I’ve got you,” he soothed, “I have you, my sweet boy.”
Simon held on tightly for a long time and Price whispered reassurances while rubbing his back and shoulders gently. When he finally pulled back, sniffling and scrubbing at his eyes, Price hurried to grab him some water from his fridge, unscrewing the cap for him and coaxing him into drinking it.
“There’s a good boy,” Price praised, patting his head when he was done.
He tossed the bottle and looked back around at Simon.
“Feel better now?” He prompted.
Simon nodded almost sheepishly.
“How about you come here after debriefs?” Price suggested, “And I can tell you what a good boy you were away from pryin’ ears.”
“Okay,” Simon agreed.
He stood up and Price had to smile at the reminder he was taller and wider than himself. Now it was just adorable how small and shy he managed to look when he was so tall and wide. He bent his head down and Price got the hint, kissing his forehead over the balaclava. Then Simon shuffled out, broad shoulders looking somewhat relaxed for the first time in a month and Price let out a relieved sigh.