#codposting

they meet several years before the events of MW1, in some small-world way, and hit it off fast. something like being stationed at the same base, competing at the same military sporting event, or even they meet on a forum they both frequent. it would probably be a music forum if anything; several of their interests overlap (I think they'd both like anime and manga/comics, Soap in particular is Really into JJBA), but music is Their Thing. they both have massive collections and will send each other playlists regularly, and every time they meet, they have a new mixtape for each other. they like a lot of the same genres, with Griggs leaning more into hip-hop while Soap leans more toward psychedelic funk and rock, so they'll usually make themed mixtapes with songs/artists the other hasn't heard of. they try to out-obscure each other sometimes lol

I like to think they also visit each other when they can...Soap is usually the one itching to get away from home, so he's the one who crosses the pond more often to visit Griggs in Virginia. Griggs has a biiiiig family and it kind of makes Soap jealous...not the size of the family (his family at home is also pretty big), but how it actually feels like one. he's only really in contact with his older brother and I feel like Griggs and the fam would read between the lines and understand there's an estrangement situation he's trying to avoid talking about. they love him to bits though, it kind of makes Soap's heart hurt how warmly they welcome him like a cousin.