LVI. For the Both of Us

                                    

                                          
TW: serious topic
(I don't want to spoil it, I'm so sorry)
~~~
"Keep it to a minimum, Alex," Ace says with a knowing smile from the other side of the gym. "Rapid movements can still cause internal bleeding, even now."
"Got it, boss," I reply, finishing up my light ab exercises. "I'm done for today."
I push myself off the ground and head over to where Ghost is standing, observing a sparring match between Soap and Gaz. I join him, arms crossed in front of me.
"Always those two, huh?" I mumble as I reach him.
"Seems like it," Ghost replies, his eyes never leaving the fight.
"They're really going at it today," I remark.
Ghost nods slightly, his focus not shifting. "Good. Keeps them sharp."
I watch as Soap lands a solid punch, only for Gaz to counter with a swift kick. Their intensity is almost infectious, and I feel a pang of longing to join in, despite Ace's warning.
"Think I'll be back in the ring soon?" I ask, half-joking.
Ghost glances at me, his expression unreadable behind his mask. "One step at a time."
I sigh, knowing he and Ace are right. "Yeah, I know. Just hate sitting on the sidelines."
The sparring session ends, and Soap and Gaz bump fists before heading over to us. Soap grins at me, his smile infectious. "Missing the action already?"
I reply with a smile. "I'll be back to kicking your ass soon enough."
Gaz smiles, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'll be waiting."
Ace approaches, giving me a scrutinizing look. 
"Yeah, yeah," I say with a wave of my hand. "I know."
Ace gives me a nod, satisfied for now. "Good," she says.
As the others start to wrap up their session, I take a moment to appreciate the buzz and the familiar rhythm of the gym. It's good to be back, even if I'm not quite at full strength yet.
"Have you thought about what you'll do after all this?" Ace asks, her voice cutting through the noise as the guys dive into another fight.
I let out a soft sigh, letting the moment breathe before responding. "I've been thinking about it, yeah. But honestly? I'm not sure yet."
She gives me a knowing smile, one that feels both comforting and heavy with meaning. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want you to stay."
I chuckle, already guessing where this conversation is headed.
"But," she continues, her tone soft but serious, "I also think you should do what's best for you. Normally, I'd be the first to say, 'don't make life decisions based on a guy who might just come and go.' But I know you'd rather die than do just that."
I meet her gaze, her eyes bright but tinged with something like sadness.
"Though... a part of me wishes you were," she admits quietly.
"Ace," I turn toward her, resting a hand on her leg, "I haven't made any decisions yet. Who knows? I might just stay here forever. And you know I could make Price let me."
She laughs, nodding.
"I'm serious," I add, smiling a little. "I'm not gone yet. And even if I decide to do something else, I won't disappear."