A Living Shield (John Price x OC/Reader slowburn)

43) And Your Enemies Closer

A steady wind rolled over the cascading hills ahead, the orange of the sun shrouded by heavy clouds. The temperature was dropping, and you appreciated your decision for wearing a compression shirt underneath your vest by now. It promised resolve against a colder evening.

Filling your lungs with a deep breath, you looked out down below, noticing you were nearing your target. It'd be another half hour or so, all downhill at least, but it was nice to see your destination. You could take quite the amount of exercise, but hiking in full gear had never been your favourite. Even during SAS training you'd complained to Soap from start to finish. And from the sound of laboured breathing behind you, accompanied by gravel shifting underneath heavy duty boots, the four men that followed closely were also absolutely done with their trek. Looking back with a quick nod, you motioned a hand forwards, signalling you were moving up and expected them to follow.

"Ya know, boss- jesus", you heard Nestor mutter under his breath, his feet skipping a few steps downhill to get near you. He swallowed, his tone still in high spirits despite the strain, "I feel like we need one of those, uh, whatcha call 'em..team afirms, I guess."

"What?", you frowned.

"Yeah, like how marines say 'woof woof'. Or those weird Shadows say 'yup yup' the whole bloody time."

"Anything but that please. It's annoying as fuck at this point, plus it sounds like 'yip yip'. Makes it feel like Graves is Appa from the Last Airbender", you answered while steadying yourself against a rock formation, feet slipping a bit in descend, "Believe me, that beautiful creature doesn't deserve that shitty comparison."

Your offhanded remark was met with light laughter, a break from all the sighing and heavy breathing. They were as winded as you were, but there wasn't any time to catch your breath. The mission was only getting started.

"What about 'Amen'?", Nestor suddenly broke the silence that had followed your joke.

"I'm sorry, does she look like 'God' to you? What kinda shit is that, Noel?", Wheys butted in, annoyance dripping off his face. Mingling in with the sweat that had been forming from all the exertion.

"You know, because of Halo?", Nestor quipped back, while circling a pointer finger above his head. "Too on the nose?"

"Nestor that is the biggest form of bad luck you could be bringing onto a BATTLEFIELD", you raised your voice in disbelief, your face not hiding how stupid you thought it was. "Do you wanna die?"

"I thought taunting death was considered badass. We're all going to hell anyway", he answered cheekily.

"Honestly, it ain't half bad."

You blinked for a moment, stopping your descend to make sure you heard it correctly. Who knew, maybe the wind had somehow gone through puberty and had gained a deep male voice. Your frown only deepened knowing absurdity wasn't on your side. Any more and the creases would be ingrained permanently into your face.

"You've got to be kidding me", you questioned out loud, turning around to stare at Wolfe. The soldier just looking back, steadying his feet. "Tell me I heard that wrong."

With a playful shrug and a teasing look in his eye, Wolfe looked anything but serious, yet it seemed he wasn't denying it either. Wind rushing past, ruffling his black floof. Nestor added a 'fuck yes' in response somewhere to your left, and realising neither of them were going to come to their senses, you looked to Crawford for any last hope of reasoning. Your eyes scanning the face of the one person you knew would have your back, who was grounded and logical. However the usual goodie two shoes seemed to be avoiding your stare more than anything. Unbelievable, you thought to yourself as you stilled, perplexed.