You take a deep breath and prepare yourself for the journey back to the helicopters, spotting a few of your fallen soldiers on the floor as you make your way through the building. Keeping your eyes up ahead, all your nerves on edge, eyes darting to every shadow and corner.

Holding your hands steady as you keep your grip tight on the rifle raised in front of you. You couldn’t help but think of your fellow soldiers, what they must be feeling right now, whether they’re safe, mind drifting to one particular Lieutenant.

Picturing his skull mask splattered with blood, praying that it wasn’t his own and that he was already on the helicopter unharmed and safe. Every step you took you could feel the wound in your thigh screaming in agony for you to stop, but you needed to keep going. Enduring the pain to make it back to find your cherished boyfriend.

As you turn another corner you feel relief at the sight in front of you, a hall with a door at the end leading outside… leading to Ghost. Quickening your pace you still keep your head on a swivel, listening in for another pair of footsteps, or radio chatter. As you push through the doors you couldn’t help but feel relief. One step closer to being by his side again, one last effort to-

You froze. Did that sound come from you? No. It was from those brushes up ahead. It sounded like a snapping twig. Fingers pressed into the barrel of your gun, looking around at the greenery in front of you, not daring to move and give away your location if they didn’t know you were there.

As your head looked to the right there was a loud rustling sound behind you, as you go to pivot the person was quicker then you expected, suddenly feeling the barrel of a rifle pressed against your throat, choking you with a determined grip. Acting quickly, you drop your gun and hook their ankle with your foot and shift to throw them over your shoulder and knock them into the dirt with a loud thud.

As you reach for your rifle you look up and spot another enemy right in front of you, gun pointed at your head. You curse softly at the sound of more footsteps and a soft click paired with each one. Looking around your stomach churned, now surrounded… 5 guns focused on you. “Hands up” the instruction coming from one of them, you couldn’t care less from which one. Slowly you pull back from the rifle on the floor and raise your hands.

The soldier below you swings his elbow to collided with your jaw, knocking you off and onto the ground. Groaning slightly you hold your jaw and look up, seeing two of them come closer, kicking away your rifle and narrowing their gaze down at you. The didn’t look blood-thirsty… their demeanor too calculated to simply shoot you and leave you for dead. Then it clicked.

They didn’t want to shoot you. They didn’t want you dead… at least not yet. Having something else in mind where you’ll be much more useful than a rotting corpse. Even in this time of crisis, feeling dread weight heavy on your chest, your can’t help but hope they only got you. Before you could hope further, the butt of a rifle connected with your head. Vision going black as you fall unconscious.

Meanwhile Ghost sat at the edge of his seat in the helo, hand anxiously tapping at his knee as he awaits your return, head in a frenzy as he watches soldiers return bit by bit but never recognizing your beautiful eyes among the masked faces. Able to feel his panic take the form of sweat trailing down his neck and clamming up his palms.

As the helicopter rotors begin to whir to life he feels his stomach twist into knots. Watching as the door closes with a loud thud, matching the aggressive beating of his heart. Able to feel it pounding against his ribs all the way through to his vest. Rationalizing in his head that maybe you went onto the other helo… unharmed and safe. Or at least breathing.

When the helicopter arrives back at the base, Ghost is one of the first people out, he fights against the pain in his calf, limping across the yard to the other helicopter. He watches soldier after soldier step out, his eyes scanning for any sign of you. For his partner, for his rock, for the person who’s been his motivation to fight and come back for the past year.

The longer he doesn’t find you, the more frantic he becomes. Eyes wildly scanning over the team, fists clenched and steps now heavy and uncoordinated as he begins to pace. He grabs at a soldier leaving the helo, questioning them to where you were, only for them to shrug, shake their head and walk away.

When he feels a hand touch his shoulder, he turns. His heart soars for a second as he imagines your face behind him. Feeling it shatter all over again as he meets Price’s serious and solemn gaze. “Ghost. We need to talk” he was stern, not leaving room for argument; but ghost argued anyway.

“In a minute Price, I’m looking for-“ his hurried words interrupted by Price’s authoritative one. “I know. You won’t find them here” at those words Ghost felt his stomach churn, feeling sick at what Price was implying.

His shoulders raise as all the hairs on his body stand on edge, his mind suffering with a hurricane of thoughts at the idea of you not being here. In every sense of the word. “Price… are you telling me they’re-“ not able to finish the words as his throat closes up, eyes cast down to try and stop himself from throwing up.

“We’re not sure.” Ghost’s eyes dart back up to meet Price “What the fuck does that mean” voice shaken and from the hostility behind his words, it’s obvious his teeth are clenched. Price keeps his voice low, seeing how distraught he was, control practically tearing at the seams.

“Two soldiers saw them get ambushed and then dragged off… they were still alive at the time and reportedly not majorly injured” Ghost feels a sense of relief, hope reigniting at the fact that you weren’t dead. Then becoming flooded by anger at the prospect that you got taken hostage… in the hands of the enemy.

His anger could only go to the soldiers who watched you and did nothing. “And what, those bastards just watched?! Ran off like fucking cowards rather than stepping in?!” rage coming off his body in waves, body practically trembling. From fear or anger, Price couldn’t quite tell.

“It was 6 of them Lieutenant.” He tried to reason but Ghost wasn’t having it “Yeah and it was fucking Monarch. You know how much they’re worth to this task force. Everyone does.” Price immediately retorts back, sensing his hostile tone “I also know how much they’re worth to you Ghost.”

A heavy silence taking over the two of them before Ghost seethed “When’d it happen…” not even phrasing it as a question but rather a demand. Price sighs “Ghost…” his words a bit warning knowing he wouldn’t like the answer. “When.” Ghost asked again, speaking again before Price could even respond. “Tell me before I ask those fucking cowards instead.”

Price groans out knowing Ghost was full well and ready to find them and go through with his threat… except he wouldn’t be satisfied with just asking them some questions. “They told me when they got on the helo… 5 minutes before we retreated” that was the nail on the coffin for Ghost.

Knowing that they had not only kept that a secret from him until now, but also left you behind. That he left you behind. “You should’ve fucking told me Price. I would’ve gone back” his voice a snarl, eyes glaring down with a raging fire burning in their irises. “That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you. It would’ve been reckless” Price remarks but Ghost just scoffed.

“Reckless my ass” his murmur causing Price to scoff now. Voice warning as he spoke “Watch it lieutenant. No matter the situation you will show me respect” Ghost raised his gaze and was ready to snap at Price again, but thinking better, and knowing this wouldn’t help bring you back he decided against it.

“Alright. Sorry Captain” it was a grumble but enough for Price to lay off him a little. “Good. Now, I came to find you because I’m forming a small evac team to get Monarch back. Thought you’d want to be on it” crossing his arms and trying to hide his amusement at how Simon’s eyes just light up at the prospect of getting you back as quickly as possible.

“When do we leave?” Ghost blurted out, already on board with the plan. Hating the thought of you being with those bastards for a second longer. Every breath he took, a wasted second where you could possibly be getting maimed. “In 10. We’re taking helo 3” Ghost gives a curt nod and began to walk away, wanting to reload his arsenal and grab a few extra gems as gifts for your captors.

Price grabs his arm before he gets far. “Coming with is a privilege Ghost. Don’t make me regret letting you” he didn’t need to say anything more for Ghost to understand. Getting you back was the main objective… and this would be led by Price. No matter how much Ghost wanted to act on instinct he knew it’d be reckless.

He had to admit there was truth to what Price said earlier… he wouldn’t admit it aloud though.

Price finally lets him go, allowing him to head back to inventory and prepare his gear and level his head before the mission. Soon after he met the rest of the team at the helo, Price giving him a short nod as he steps into it and takes a seat. Rifle gripped tight and ready.

Warmth of the sun hitting your face as you swam back and forth in the pool, mirroring the warm smile you just couldn’t shake. Eyes darting over to your boyfriend, relaxing in his large donut floaty. Head leaned back, feet in the water, eyes closed and his whole body practically limp.

It was so clear to you… he really needed this. Even if at first he wanted to go to Austria and enjoy the nice winter weather you knew that deep down he was glad you convinced him otherwise. The clear sky and matching sunshine making him glow, even the sniper hood over his eyes appearing lighter in colour

You giggle softly and slow your swimming as you pass him, gaze still admiring how peaceful he looked. A tinge of jealousy as you curse yourself for not bringing a donut floaty for yourself. As you reach the other end of the pool again, you pause... before deciding to swim over to him in the donut, moving to be behind his head.

“Are you sleeping sweetheart?” lifting your hands out of the water and moving them to his shoulders, sliding them up and down his shoulders. Head close to the dip of his neck, smiling when you hear him hum softly at the cool water on his skin paired with your soft touch.

“Nearly mein Schatz” his voice gruff and every semblance of his stiff and aggressive demeanor was gone. Lifting one of his hands up to place it on your own, tracing his thumb over your knuckles. As the pads of your fingers gently tickled at his skin you recognized the texture of his scars beneath them.

“I’m kinda jealous… it looks really comfortable” you tease and he chuckles lowly, so low it was more like a vibration in his throat. Using your hand he guides you to move to the side of the floaty, lifting his head to look at you with a gentle and fond gaze. “No need to be jealous. We can share” lifting your hand and leading it under his hood to kiss at the back of it.

You let out a huff and pout “Yeah… I’ll wait for my turn tomorrow” going to swim away but he pulls you back by your hand “Tomorrow? Schatz don’t be foolish! Come on and sit on my lap” using his free hand he reaches over to the edge of the pool with ease and pulls himself and the floaty towards it.

At first you didn’t understand, and wanted to brush off his words but the way he looked at you expectantly, shifting in the floaty to sit more upright, you couldn’t deny or protest. Something about his wide eyed unwavering gaze and inviting prescence was tugging on your heartstrings, this behemoth of a man playing them like a harp.

Pulling yourself up you get out of the pool, standing right where he held onto the edge, fully facing you. With a sheepish grin, teeth showing at how giddy you were feeling you move to turn around. Slowly lowering yourself down before dropping into his lap. Feeling his hands hold your waist to keep you from falling too quickly.

The momentum of the fall pushing the floaty back into the middle of the pool. Slightly squirming on his lap to nestle in comfortably, leaning your head back against his shoulder with a long sigh. Just as you’re about to close your eyes and relax König’s voice draws your attention.

“Nein liebling, other way” feeling his breath against your ear as he speaks, turning your head you look at him and furrow your brows in confusion. Without explaining further his hands grip your waist and lift you up slightly, rotating your body carefully.

You brace your hands on the sides of the donut floaty, your legs hanging over the side as you let him guide you to the position he had in mind. Once you were fully turned, face to face with him, he sat you back down in the dip of his lap.

Then his hands move to your thighs before sliding down to grab onto one of your calves, lifting your right one over his head so each of your legs were resting on the donut next to each side of his hips.

The whole time his eyes were creased, so obvious to you that he was smiling at you, he wouldn’t say it aloud but he was completely enamored. Unable to help the soft pink on your cheeks as your hands rest on his chest; his hands resting on your calves.

“Is that comfortable mein Schatz?” He asks, tilting his head in a way that made your heart tighten. You nod your head and move a hand to his neck, tracing up and down the side of it with your thumb.

“Yeah… It’s perfect König” you say and he hums softly, unable to look away from you. Never feeling more happy about a decision than to take this trip with you. Able to see you out of the stuffy military gear and instead happily sporting flowy clothing, adorable yet fitting shorts with simple tops, and currently an enticing bathing suit.

His hands move to caress your sides, grazing up and down your exposed skin with a gentle touch, the feeling of the pads of his fingers slightly tickling but you wouldn’t stop him. “Absolutely stunning…” he murmured to himself.

Not quiet enough for you not to hear but he didn’t mind that you did, loving the way your thumb stops it’s tracing and your eyes divert to the water. “Stop.” You words unconvincing, made worse by the cheek denting smile his words placed on your lips.

“Nein.” Shaking his head and cupping your cheek, guiding your head to face him once again. “Never. Because it will never stop being true” spoken like a soft prayer, seeing you as the deity worth devoting himself to. Slowly pulling your head towards him, lifting his own as his other hand comes off your thigh, hooking his thumb under the hem of his sniper hood.

Both your hands raise and you brush away the hand at his face, hooking your own thumbs under the fabric and lifting it just enough to expose his lips. Leaning the rest of the way and kissing him gently… ever so softly as your lips meld together effortlessly. Both your eyes closed as you savor this breathtaking moment.

Both physically and metaphorically breathtaking.

Now that both his hands were free, he kept one on your cheek, cupping its entirety in his palm, the other cradling the small of your back fondly. As the kiss continued neither of you wanted to break it, to break this moment of pure tranquil bliss. Yet with a soft chuckle König can't help but comment slyly "This trip is the best thing I’ve ever done” causing you to laugh softly with him.

Opening your eyes and looking down at his lips, able to finally see the smile he had been hiding beneath the fabric. "Oh yeah? I don't think you mean that" you tease, moving your hands to the back of his neck under the hood, seeing how it was hooked onto the bridge of his nose.

After he hums softly, he lets go of your cheek and moves that hand to rest on your back just as his other one did. As he pulls his lips away, his head dips down to your neck "You're right... I don't" kissing just below your jaw as he speaks. His honesty catching you off guard for a moment.

Waiting for him to speak further you could feel him bide his time with his kisses, long and slightly wet as they trail across your throat to the other side of your neck, ending up just below your ear.

"Asking you out was the best thing i've ever done..." his whisper filled with all the loved and adoration in the world. His endearing tone one you've become familiar with and never failing to send an electric shock through you.

"Can't help but mess with me can you?" he simply shakes his head at your words making you let out an amused hum. "You're lucky I love you König" you spoke with a teasing but sincere voice, watching as he moves his head back from your neck. Meeting your gaze once more.

"I know I am... luckiest guy in the world" with heavy eyes he leans his forehead against yours, simply wanting to breath in your presence and you wouldn't even dream of stopping him. "and I love you too."