Call Of Duty Ghosts Thomas Merrick headcanons.
Notes: This is based on the ask from @ajaxsympathiser.
Warnings: mentions of broken ribs, injuries.
Merrick is quite hard to crack. He is a man who gives his loyalty but he is a seasoned professional, and he doesn’t tolerate anything that can jeopardise it. He is the soldier who will get right up to you and berate you, harshly pulling you back into reality.
When the Federation war broke out onto US soil, it is like work, work, work, work in Merrick’s mind. But he is one of the soldiers at the front. He is needed. If he can’t be there, who else will be? One less man means dire consequences for the side he fights for.
With the exception of the Ghosts, soldiers wonder if Merrick ever has a nice bone in his body. Business first then get to talking for him.
As he moved up ranks, so did his authoritative demeanour. When sergeant in Caracas, he followed Rorke while he had his objections to Rorke's plans. As the captain in the Ghosts, he knows very well that the lives of his comrades rest on his shoulders as much as it does on themselves.
Especially when he was younger, he was quite vocal and expressive. While his rank does make him commanding, his use of force and vocal stances and opinions adds further on to his commanding presence.
He has quite the honed intuition. More than once he has shown his team that his instincts do not lie to him. This is why they jumper right into alert when he speaks up.
When captured, he won’t back down so easily. In fact, maybe never. Alone, as he is crowded by enemies. Fists raining down upon him. Ribs broken from the Federation’s torture. He still will get up and carry on with his team. Even when wounded he’d acknowledge it then march on. He won’t deny the severity of his wounds. But if on the mission, he first needs to get himself and the team out of hostile territory.
As his father and his grandfather served in the military before him, with his family influencing him to join, he holds these men in high regard. Insult them and you have another thing coming your way.
On seeing someone, it takes a great deal of time. The relationship needs to grow and develop. You have to go over the hurdles with Merrick. You have to understand the grim realities he faces.
Merrick accepts help when he needs it, like when Hesh was helping him stand after the Federation soldiers broke his ribs. He would do the same for his comrades. He isn’t a major worry-wart. He knows your strengths and as a soldier, you need to know how to carry yourself. It doesn’t mean you need to be exempt from receiving help.
