You always knew it would come up eventually. A habit you carried with you throughout your life, even when you joined TF141. Combat operations, going into the thick of things, the adrenaline rush - it was all distracting, but it didn't get rid of it. Every mission left an emptiness, and you knew only one way to fill it.

Today was that moment. You sat in the corner of your room, your hand shaking, the needle already digging into your skin. Everything around you became blurry, your breathing slowed. But before you could sink into the familiar darkness, the door swung open.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Soap's voice cut through your ears.

You flinched, but it was too late. He had already seen everything. His eyes widened in shock, then frowned. The room was silent, diluted only by the sounds of rain outside the window. You tried to say something, but your tongue wouldn't obey you.

"Are you serious?" his voice was shaking, but not from fear, but from anger. "We've been through so much shit side by side, and you're like this? You know how it ends."

You looked away. Deep down, you knew that sooner or later, someone would find out. But you didn't think it would be him. You didn't want it to be him.

"I..." the words got stuck in your throat. What can you say at a time like this? Make excuses? Promise that this is the last time? You both knew it was a lie.

Soap took a step forward, his fists clenched. You expected a blow, but it never came. Instead, he fell to his knees in front of you, grabbing your shoulders.

"I need you, asshole. You need the whole team. You think you're alone, but you're not," his voice softened, but there was still pain in it. "Let's get out of this shit together."

You swallowed. His words hit harder than any fist. Maybe he's right. Maybe you haven't lost everything yet.