Regrets, something John Price had a lot of. A man never gets to the position he is in without having some of them. But this? He never expected you to end up on that list of regrets.

You and John have a very complicated relationship. A commander and his subordinate. But on some level it was more than that, you mean more than that to him. But the line blurred even despite the rules and regulations against this sort of relationship.

John always hoped that you knew how he felt. The long glances he would give you, the way he’d always make sure you were safe on missions, the way he would give you one-on-one training for things you needed. Occasionally his touch would linger on you, the occasional hug. But it never went further, his actions restricted by his duty to his job. To the rest of the team.

—

“I love you, I love you. Come on sweetheart, you gotta make it. Please.” John’s words come out in a panicked jumble, his eyes full of tears. He never thought he’d be one to break down like this, but here is. He never thought his first time saying this to you would be this way.

Price and you had been on a duo mission. The only requirement was to gather some intel from an enemy building, there wasn’t supposed to be any hostiles. It was supposed to be a no contact mission.

But they were compromised. Someone knew they were coming and about a half hour into the search the pair heard the first explosion. Neither of them had time to react before it was followed by another and then another. Someone was bringing down the building.

Price had tried his best to protect you, to get you out. But he failed. Now your body partly was in his arms. He could see the way you were slipping.

Why did he never say these words to you sooner? Oh how he would’ve loved to hear you say it back, but now he wasn’t even sure if you could speak.

If he gets you out of this, he’s giving you the ring in his desk. The ring he handpicked for you months ago. He should’ve done this then, rules be damned.