#sunset dinner date

Today is a day for Nikolai and John Price to celebrate. Eight years of friendship. Nikolai convinced Price to go for a helicopter ride to a field and have dinner as the sun sets. It’s no surprise to Price that Nikolai said he’d do the cooking. The Russian admits that he’ll be getting a cake from a local bakery. “Cutting corners are we?” Price teases. Nikolai only smiles before walking away. Price goes back to his office.

The hours tick by. Price has plenty to do, but he’s frustrated with the waiting. It’s obvious to everyone that he's tougher on the recruits today. Gaz, Ghost, and Soap know not to ask Price what’s troubling him, he’ll only lash out at them. “Something is up,” Soap says. “I’m thinking shit with the higher ups,” Ghost says. “All we can do is hope this passes soon before he scares all the recruits shitless.” Thirty minutes before sunset. Price walks into the hangar where Nikolai keeps his helicopter. He sees the Russian doing the last checks. He sees the large cooler bag in the corner. “Don’t you dare.” Price smirks at the man’s warning. “Is dinner that big of a secret?” “So what if it is?” Nikolai grabs the bag and puts it in the helicopter. He resumes his checks. Price watches him amused.

The bird is in the air ten minutes later. Price attempts to get Nikolai to tell him what’s in the cooler, but Nikolai won’t budge.

The bird lands in the middle of a field. Nikolai grabs the cooler, and the two disembark. The two pick a spot close to the bird to sit in the grass. “Russian dinner,” Nikolai says as he unpacks a couple of containers. Okróshka, Herring under the fur coat and Pryanik. Price smiles at Nik’s choices. He’s never disappointed when he lets Nik cook. Nik finishes unpacking plates and utensils. He plates the food and hands the plate to Price before getting his own.  "I heard you scared some recruits today."

Once the two have had enough, Price gathers the dishes while Nikolai gets the white box from the cooler. Once the dishes are in the cooler, Price turns his attention to the box. Price watches Nikolai open the cake box. He stares at the words on the cake. It isn't ‘Happy eight years of friendship’ or anything related to their friendship. Instead, Price reads, ‘Will you marry me?’. “Well? Will you marry me?" “Yes.” Tears roll down Price’s face. Nikolai knows these are happy tears. “While we’ve been officially dating for six months, I feel we’ve had an unofficial relationship for seven and a half years. I’m not rushing.” The two kiss as the sun sets. Price pushes Nikolai to the ground and dry humps him. “Really?” Nikolai smiles. “Out here on the field.” “Or the floor of the helicopter.” “Let’s clean up first.” Price sighs, impatient.