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It was late at night at Alejandro's base and Ghost couldn't sleep. Like almost every night he would awake from a terrible nightmare, unable to fall asleep again. Defeated he checked his watch. 1 AM, which was way too early but Ghost decided to get up and wander around instead of lying in his bed doing nothing. He could clean his weapons, again, something to distract his mind from this nightmare. Though this one had been a bit different. His nightmares usually where about his past, fucked up missions, teammates dying. And this one seemed to be like any other at first. But this time, Soap had been there as well.
They were behind a barricade, shooting at countless enemies. "Shite, I'm out!", Soap shouted at him. Ghost searched his pockets and the ground around him for more mags but there were none. They where fucked. Soap sat beside him behind a barricade, countless bullets crashing against it. The sound was deafening.
“Guess we'll die here.”, Soap said, strangely calm for such a dire situation.
“Guess so.”, Ghost answered.
“Ye probably pissed that ye have to share your last breaths with me now, eh?”, Soap nudged him.
“Why should I?”, Ghost asked. “I actually enjoy your company.”
“Oh really now? Hard to believe ye.”, Soap laughed.
The bullets were still coming but the barricade was standing firm. “We're going to die. No point in lying now.”, Ghost said. Soap shuffled closer to him. “Yeah. Shame we can't have more time together.” Ghost turned his head to face him. “Indeed.”
Soap looked him straight in his eyes. “Ye ken, I always wanted to know what's under that mask. And since where going tae die, but I'll still respect yer wish tae keep yer face hidden, let me just do this.”
Soap brought his hands up to Ghost's jaw and gently pushed up his mask a bit so his mouth was uncovered. Ghost couldn't react. It was like his body was completely frozen. But he wouldn't have stopped him either way. Soap took his head in both his hands and closed the space between them, placing their lips together. He wanted for this moment to last forever.
But the sound of an incoming missile would mark the end of his dream.
Ghost decided to go the bathroom first to wash his face and admittedly calm down from whatever had happened in that dream. He had only known Soap for a bit now but it seemed the man already had some kind of impact on him. But Ghost didn't want to think about this now. Distraction. Gun cleaning. That's what he needed.
It seemed like nobody was awake or at least no one was wandering around. He was sure some Vaqueros would be in the kitchen, playing cards.
Ghost made his way to the workshop but before he pushed down the door handle he stopped. There where noises coming from inside. Quiet noises, like someone didn't want to make any but didn't succeed entirely. But with his years of experience and training, Ghost could make them out either way. He really wanted to clean his weapons now but also wanted to avoid contact with others if possible. He leaned in closer, trying to figure out who was in there. Not only didn't he hear whispering but also a desk creaking. And something that sounded like an escaped moan. Now he was curious.
There was no light coming from under the door so Ghost took his chance, pushed it open a little bit and as quiet as possible. It didn't take long for him to see anything since his eyes where already adjusted to the darkness and he could make out two people at a desk. Well, one of them was actually on the desk and the picture that unfolded was exactly what Ghost had thought when he had heard the muffled moans. It was Alejandro and Rodolfo, having sex on a table in the workshop. Ghost couldn't stop himself from grinning. He had suspected that there was more going on between them when they had first met. In a quiet moment he had asked Soap about his opinion on them but he just said that he liked them but didn't think there was more going on between the two. But he couldn't say it without his cheeks getting red. Maybe it was the question itself or maybe it was the fact that Ghost had asked in the first place. He enjoyed throwing Soap off from time to time.
Another moan that Rodolfo had desperately tried to hold back but escaped anyway snapped Ghost back to reality. He was spying on two colleagues, having a secret but not so secret, very "heavy" make out session. It would be better to just leave them alone and find something else to do. Hell, maybe even join the card players in the kitchen and destroy their game with his flawless "poker face".
Just as he wanted to leave he could hear footsteps coming in his (and also Alejandro and Rudy's) direction. And those were steps he was already familiar with. Soap would round the corner in just a few seconds. He thought about his options. Catching him off guard right at the corner, put his hand on his mouth and drag him away or just let it happen. He decided on the latter. Would be funnier to see Soap's reaction.
As soon as he could see the other man, he immediately put his finger to his mouth, or rather his mask, signalling him to be quiet. Soap startled for a second but didn't make a sound. He was kind of getting used to Ghost standing somewhere he wouldn't expect it. Ghost signalled him to get closer with a hand gesture. And so Soap did. Even before he had reached Ghost a low grunt could be heard from inside the room. This time it wasn't Rodolfo but Alejandro. It was followed by a "Quiet!", from Rodolfo to which Alejandro responded with: "You're one to talk...". In Spanish of course but this much they could both understand.
Even though it was dark Ghost practically could feel Soap getting red. "See? There's more going on between them.", Ghost stated quietly. "Aye, ah kin see that!" Soap deadpanned after he had shot a glimpse through the gap in the door.
"Dinnae think ye'd have a voyeurism kink. But after all I dinnae really know anythin' about ye. Who knows what other kinky secrets lie under yer mask.", Soap teasingly whispered after he had recovered from his initial shock. "I don't have a voyeurism kink. I just happened to stumble upon...this.", Ghost said. But he couldn't deny that this situation was kinda hot.
And then he remembered the dream. Soap gently pushing up his mask and...
“Ghost?”, Soap whispered. He was close, too close. And he did it on purpose. Soap always invaded his personal space, sometimes just because he was that kind of guy and other times just to get some kind of reaction out of him. And Ghost had to admit that he didn't hate it as much as when someone else would do it. It was kind of distractive.
As well as the sounds coming from the room behind them.
“We should leave them alone.”, Ghost said and made his way back to the hallway. Soap followed him. “Where to?”, he asked, already assuming they would spend time together now. Ghost didn't answer.
“I have tae admit, they both where kinda hot. They weren't exactly hidden, with the door unlocked and all. Ye think'tis their kink or something? The risk o' getting seen or some shit?”, Soap instantly babbled as soon as they where out of earshot. “Don't know. Is it yours?”, Ghost asked. “Dunno.”, Soap laughed. “Never did it like this. Only in a car once. Have ye? I mean, ye're nae exactly a people person so...”
“Are you asking me if I'm a virgin?”
“Dinnae git me wrong! Ah dinnae mean it in a ill wey. Wouldn't be a pity if yer. A'body kin dae as thay waant...”, Soap rambled on, his Scottish accent coming out more because he was embarrassed. It took Ghost a bit of his willpower to stop himself from commenting on it and simply stated: “I'm not.”
“Good.”
“Good? Are you relieved I'm not a virgin? I thought everyone can do as they want?”, Ghost asked, grinning a bit under his mask.
Soap buried his head in his hands. “Urgh. Forget it.”
“No, no forgetting. Are you relieved?”, Ghost asked again.
“Fine, I am.”, Soap said, defeated. But Ghost wouldn't end the conversation here.
“And why is that? You want to drag me into the next empty room and bend me over the table like Alejandro did with Rodolfo?”
Soap was definitely flustered by his bold question though he tried to remain his cool. Ghost could see it nevertheless. “What if I do?”, he shot back, his voice just a little bit shaky.
“Try it.”, Ghost simply said, almost challenging, as an answer.
And so they both stood there in the hallway, staring into each others eyes, for seconds, maybe even minutes. Searching for a sign if one of them really meant what they had said.
But neither of them made a move.
Until Ghost finally said something.
“Good night, Johnny.”
And he made his way back to his bed, leaving Soap in the hallway.
“Th' fuck just happened?”, Soap murmured to himself.
- - - - - - - - -
He was alive. They were both alive. Soap still couldn't quite wrap his head around the events that hat just occurred two hours ago. Graves turning on them, getting shot at, getting separated from Ghost and the others. Sneaking and fighting his way through the streets of Las Almas. Alone.
The banter with Ghost had been a pleasant change. Normally it was Soap who talked most of the time, with Ghost listening or telling him to shut up. But this time, it was different. It was Ghost who'd called out for him, making sure he was still doing alright, guiding him through the wet streets, and telling the most horrible jokes Soap had ever heard. He could have done this all day. Preferably without the pain and the constant risk of getting killed.
As horrible as this situation had been, it had brought up an urge within him he already knew was there but didn't dare to think upon further. He wanted to get to know Ghost more and see what secrets were hidden behind his mask. He wanted to spend more time with him. Alone.
If not for Ghost, he wouldn't be here now, in Alejandro's safehouse. He would not have survived this night in Las Almas. And it still surprised him that Ghost had stayed there to see him to safety. As he had said, he was used to working alone and of course as a soldier you wouldn't leave a brother behind if there was a chance, but still. As strange as it sounded but after this event and all the new things he learned about the Lieutenant there was one fact he had discovered which he never wanted to miss again.
Ghost cared for him.
Soap thought back on their kind of awkward encounter with Rudy and Alejandro and their somewhat flirty conversation. Was it even flirty or did Ghost just joke around? Nevertheless he couldn't stop himself from imagining how this night could've turned out if he hadn't backed out. He should have tried it. Grabbed Ghosts arm and lead him to an unoccupied room where no one could see them and lock the door, just to be sure.
And then what? Shove him against the wall, get down on his knees and open up Ghost's trousers...
Soap shook his head. There was no way Ghost would have let this happen. It was more likely that his attempt to grab his arm alone would've failed and Ghost would have evaded it with a “Nice try” and then walked away.
This had just been a stupid conversation and he should get it out of his mind. They were soldiers, brothers and maybe even a little bit of friends and he shouldn't behave like some horny teenager.
But despite how hard he tried, the memory always came back.
Soap groaned. There were more important things to think about right now. They had made a plan on how to free Alejandro and the other Vaqueros from the prison Graves had locked them into. In two hours they would execute this plan. Until then they took some time to catch their breath, gear up and most importantly for Soap, patch up his right shoulder with the bullet wound or an infection would lead to much worse.
Rudy had given him some medical supplies and a fresh shirt. He had offered to help him but Soap kindly refused. Wouldn't be the first time he had to patch himself up on his own. And a bit of peace and quiet was welcome. He liked Rudy, but he would've asked what exactly had happened in Las Almas and right now he didn't want to talk about it.
He'd rather think about the conversations he had with Ghost over comms. How comfortable and safe it had felt to hear his voice. To simply know Ghost was there, making sure he would survive. A warm feeling started to spread through his chest.
Soap shook his head. No, not now. Arm. Bullet wound. Patch up. Free Alejandro.
These were the things that mattered right now. Not this kind of flirting with Ghost. Was that even flirting? Or just a normal conversation while he was trying to survive. Still, this had been the most private talk between the two of them they had so far.
With a groan he pulled his ruined shirt over his head and for the first time inspected his wounded shoulder. It hurt like hell, now that the adrenalin subsided. He picked up a bottle of disinfectant and a cloth and poured some onto it. Carefully he rubbed around the wound, trying to clean it. The sting of pain made him a bit dizzy but it had to be done.
To distract himself from it, his mind wandered to his new favourite topic again. Ghost. Where even was Ghost? Probably busy gearing up, cleaning weapons and stuff. He looked good when he did it. Concentrated and calm. Soap would never admit that he had watched him doing it quite often.
"Hurry up MacTavish."
Soap let out a surprised squiek. How long had Ghost been standing there? Probably longer than he thought. And Ghost was staring. And kind of fidgeting. Like he struggled with himself on whether or not he should do something.
Apparently he decided for something since he started to move towards the desk Soap was currently sitting on.
"Let me handle that.", he grunted, taking the cloth out of his hands. He placed himself right between Soaps legs and started cleaning his wound. Soap took a sharp inhale as the disinfectant came in contact with his damaged skin again.
"Relax.", Ghost said in a demanding voice but his movements were gentle. "It's just a graze shot. It could've ended way worse."
"Would have, if ye hadn't been there.", Soap stated. And he meant it.
"Glad I was." Ghost meant it too.
Ghost picked up the bandages and Soap placed his hand on Ghost side so he had a better angle to work on his arm.
They were close and this whole situation felt intimate. He had never seen Ghost so gently and careful. Okay maybe when he was cleaning his weapons but never with someone else. Also Ghost touching someone besides a handshake or in combat was something new. Especially touching him. Soap savoured the moment and hoped it would never end.
Ghost placed the bandages firmly over his wound. When he was finished his hand was still lingering on Soaps arm. "Does it hurt?"
"Not as bad as two hours ago but yeah. I'll manage."
Ghost's hand left his arm and Soap already missed the warmth and comfort it had given him.
Ghost reached for the painkillers and a bottle of water. "Take them. We have a mission ahead of us. And I need you at your best."
"Thanks." Soap took one pill and swallowed it with a good sip of water. He suddenly realized Ghost was still standing between his legs, his hand on his arm again, gently caressing the bandages. To make it even, Soap also placed his hand back on Ghost's side who didn't seem to mind.
They stood like this for a bit in total silence and Soaps mind couldn't handle it. The memories came back once again when they were in the hallway that night.
"You know I was thinking back to that night when we were spying on Rudy and Alejandro...", he started to break the silence, not sure what he even wanted to say.
"We didn't spy on them, just accidentally...", Ghost protested.
"Shhh...we did."
"You dared me to try. I think I wanna try now."
Wait what? Where did that come from? Okay, he knew were it was coming from but right now, there should be other stuff on his mind. Ghost would say the same.
"Do you really think you're in the right physical state to manage that?"
See Johnny? Exactly. Not the right time and place. Calm down.
"It's not that bad." Liar. Stop it. Don't do anything stupid now.
Despite everything he told himself, Soap tried to get up from the table and wanted to switch their sides but Ghost pushed him back down. "You're not trying anything, MacTavish."
Soap froze. Ye fucking idiot! What are ye trying to do, eh Johnny? This oversteps boundaries! It's unprofessional out of everything. And we're talking about Ghost here. Ghost who'll never let someone get close to him.
But before his mind could fall even deeper into chaos, Ghost opened his mouth again.
"I will.", and with that Ghost dropped down to his knees and placed his hand on Soaps zipper. "Heard it can also ease the pain from a gunshot in one's shoulder.", he added with a grin under his mask.
WAIT WHAT? Soap's internal screaming was so loud, he wondered if he had actually let it out loud. But Ghost didn't seem to have heard anything since he was still opening the zipper of Soap's trousers. So this was really happening right now.
The sight alone, Ghost on his knees and between his legs, made him half hard already. Ghost's hand lingered on Soap's crotch as he looked up. "If I'm going to far here...", he started but Soap cut him off quickly.
"I swear if ye leave me hanging here right now, I'm gonna kill ye."
He practically could see Ghost smiling under his mask, obviously pleased with that answer and continued with pulling Soap's pants and underwear down a bit to free his cock and started stroking it. A pleasant feeling washed over Soap, one he hadn't felt in quite a while. Of course he had jerked off on more than one occasion, but someone else doing it? It felt great. Ghost doing it felt even better. Even though he could still not believe this was real. He feared he'd awake from a dream real soon, so he decided to just savour it.
Soap got lost in the moment of unexpected pleasure and his legs started to tremble. He let out a moan through gritted teeth. He really hoped Rudy was in room far far away from this one, not that the safe house had that many rooms but still.
He didn't noticed how Ghost, while still moving his hand up and down his shaft and sometimes placing his thumb on the tip, had pushed his mask up over his mouth with his other hand.
He also didn't notice how Ghost's head came closer to his lower region. He was busy submerging in a pool of heat and want, eyes closed. Until everything exploded when he felt a few wet licks on his dick. No way.
Soap quickly opened his eyes to see if this was reality. Ghost was kneeling between his legs, one hand on his thigh, the other on the base of his dick, actually running his tongue up and down the shaft. He couldn't help himself and put his hand on Ghost's masked head. Oh how much he was yearning to pull it off completely. But this was Ghost's decision, not his. And he respected that.
Ghost looked up because of the hand on his head, but he didn't seem to mind as he even leaned a bit into the touch. The look alone was almost enough to push Soap over the edge. What followed was the heat that poured all over him, when Ghost finally closed his mouth around his dick and took him in.
Soap couldn't contain himself any more and let out a low, drawn-out moan he had tried to hold back. Fuck it if Rudy could hear him. This was the best thing that had happened to him in a long while.
Ghost picked up his pace and Soap's grip on his head became even more desperate. He was so close and he wanted to come but he also didn't want this to end.
An unexpected touch on his balls was what sealed the deal. He wanted to warn Ghost but it was to late and with breathy gasps his body tightened as he came in the others mouth.
Soap realized what he had just done and panicked. “Shit, sorry, oh god I'm so sorry.” He searched the table for a spare cloth but Ghost had already gotten up from his position and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Get ready MacTavish. We have to leave soon.” Soap got painfully aware of the cold around his cock now and Ghost had already made his way out of the room without another word.
“Ye can't just suck me off and then leave!”, he called after him. Jesus fuck.
But Ghost was right. They had work to do.
- - - - - - - - -
The Team was sitting in a bar and Soap enjoyed the buzz around him. Music playing in the background, people talking, the sound of billiard balls clacking against each other. No gunshots, no people screaming and most importantly no missile shit. A peaceful moment after all that had happened. A bit of relaxation, before the next storm. Gaz told some bad joke to which Price and Laswell groaned in unison, Ghost was sipping from his drink in silence right next to him, his mask pushed up above his mouth.
Soap smiled to himself and just appreciated the moment.
Until his phone buzzed. He fished it out from his pocket and looked at the screen. It was a text message from Rudy which said:
“Totally forgot, thanks for the 500$ I won from Alejandro.”
Soap blinked in confusion. What did he mean by that? And how much was this in pounds?
He was already typing out a “What...”, but another message from Rudy followed immediately.
“Safehouse ;-)”
“OH MY GOD!”, Soap loudly exclaimed and all heads were promptly turned in his direction. He was still staring at his screen and was thankful for the bar's dimmed light, because he could feel himself getting red.
“What's wrong, Soap?”, Gaz asked. “Something happened?” Soap laughed nervously, his hand kneading around in his mohawk. “Nah, just, uuh nothing of concern for ye guys.” They didn't seem to believe him completely but fortunately also didn't press any further.
Someone kicked his foot from the right. Ghost. Soap turned his head to face the other and discovered that he was staring directly into eyes, then to his phone which was currently face down in Soaps hand, then back into his eyes.
With a groan he passed the phone over to Ghost. No point in hiding the message from him. Ghost had been there as well. He took the device out of his hand and read what Rudy had sent him.
His eyes blew wide and he looked at Soap again. “Restroom. Now.”, Ghost demanded, voice low and he stood up. Soap had no choice but to walk after him wordlessly. He was sure the others followed them with curious eyes.
The restroom wasn't big, only one stall, two urinals dangerously close to each other and a quite dirty sink. As soon as the door closed behind them, Ghost started to talk.
“This never happened MacTavish.”
“Am pretty sure it did, Lt.”
They stared at each other for a bit before Ghost opened his mouth again. “No...it didn't.”
“May I remind you that you were the one who just dropped down to his knees and started...”, he said, a bit too loud and with his finger pointed at the other man. In a flash, Ghost placed his hand on Soap's mouth. “Shut up!”
This made Soap furious now and he slapped the hand away. He wasn’t a professional in talking about personal stuff as well but Ghost just wanting to deny everything simply made his cheeks flush red in anger. They could and had to talk about it and Soap was positive it was his duty to start first, though he forced himself to talk more quietly.
“No! Th' hell is yer problem? Dinnae look lik' ye hated it when ye did it. Do nae tell me ye have some gay panic now? Or whit's yer problem, eh? Because I did enjoy th' hell out o' it, Simon!” He chose to call him by his actual name in the hopes of getting at least some kind of reaction out of him. But Soap wasn’t finished yet.
“Johnny...”, Ghost started but Soap quickly cut him off. “Ye listen now. I was overwhelmed as well. It just...happened. N' maybe we shouldn't have done it, bein' partners and all that shite. But hell 'twas good! And then ye just walked away! And now ye'r telling me it never happened? MY ASS!”
After Soap's tirade they stood there in silence for what felt like hours until Ghost began to move backwards. Away from him.
“Don't you dare to just leave again.”, Soap said, though it came out more like a plead.
“I don't know how to deal with...”, he gestured between them, “...this.”, Ghost finally admitted.
“Me neither.”, Soap returned, tired.
Silence again, though Ghost didn’t look like he was waiting for Soap to say anything else, he was rather placing words around in his head, trying to put them in the right order.
“We're on leave for a week. I'm coming over tomorrow at 6pm.”, he finally let out, then turned around and left nevertheless but it didn’t leave Soap with the bitter taste it did last time. Admittedly it was better to continue this conversation in private and not in this cramped restroom.
Soap felt better after getting his thoughts out loud and with a slight smile he went back to the others. Ghost was nowhere to be seen, probably left the establishment entirely. He could feel three pairs of eyes practically staring holes into him.
“Just leave it.” Soap said and ordered another drink from the bartender.
It didn't go without his notice that Gaz passed 20 bucks to a grinning Price. Soap decided not to ask. He was sure he already knew.
He let the “conversation” with Ghost play in his head again. And then he panicked. Ghost would come over tomorrow. To his house. What was he supposed to do? What did Ghost think they would do? Was it just to talk, or a date or even something more? Should he cook, prepare some movies and most importantly, what to wear?
He buried his head in his face.
This will be a fucking disaster, Soap thought while downing his drink in one go and ordered another.
- - - - - - - - -
The next day Ghost arrived at Soap's doorstep precisely at 6pm, just like he had said. He wore a black hoodie and a balaclava with a skull printed on, similar to his outfit yesterday at the bar but all freshly washed. He'd also decided to go without the black paint around his eyes though.
Just like half the night he asked himself why he was even doing this. Scenarios how this evening could turn out had played out over and over in his mind, robbing him of his sleep until his tired mind collapsed eventually. The scenarios varied from good, to bad, to absolute chaos and even to some that involved a naked Soap sprawled out on the couch.
He needed to scratch the last from from his mind. It wasn't a good idea to continue whatever they had started here. Though admittedly he also didn't really want to stop it. He hadn't expected to ever enjoy someone's presence beside him, close to him. Soap just had that effect on him and he knew the other felt the same and would want to continue things further.
But there was one thing Ghost was sure of. He wouldn't be good at it. Not good enough for Johnny. Ghost was not the person to live happily ever after with.
More nervous than he would ever admit he pressed the doorbell.
He could hear hurried steps from inside followed by someone (Soap) stumbling over something before he made it to the door.
As soon as the door opened a delicious scent could be smelled and Ghost's chest immediately felt warm. Soap was cooking for him.
“Hey!”, Soap smiled at him. “Dinnae expect ye to be so soon. Come in.”
“It's exactly 6pm, Johnny.”, Ghost said as he entered behind him.
“Really? Damn, must've lost my track o' time.”
Soap guided him to the living room and ordered him to sit. “Need to check on the oven real quick.” and with that he vanished into another room, presumably the kitchen. Ghost took a moment to look around the small flat. There wasn't much in here, which was understandable since they spent more time at base or on an assignment rather than home. But this place still felt cosy, different than his own sparse apartment.
His gaze fell upon a guitar in the corner. “Didn't know you can play guitar, Johnny.”, he called in the direction of the kitchen.
A laughter emerged from within. “I wish, but I don't, actually. Was a gift from my sister some years ago. I tried it but due to th' lack o' time I never actually managed anythin' listenable.”
“You should pick it up again. It would suit you.”
“And sing a sappy love song for ye? You'd strangle me.”
“Maybe.”, Ghost said but with a smile, not that it was visible anyway. The image of a guitar playing Soap would stay in the back of his head for a while.
“Come to think o' it, how did ye even ken where I live?”
“Price.”
“Of course.”
Soap emerged from the kitchen with two plates in his hands and two bottles of beer tucked in his armpits.
“I do nae really have a dining table so the coffee table will have to do.” and with his head he gestured Ghost to finally sit down on the couch. Soap placed the plates with the steaming food in front of them. It was some kind of ground beef casserole and from the smell alone Ghost was sure it would taste delicious.
“And here I thought you would serve me some haggis.”
“Next time, yeah?”, Soap smiled at him, but his expression shifted as soon as he realized that this sentence implicated that there would be a next time. “I mean...”, he stuttered, “If ye want t' do this again.”
“I do. Let's eat, Johnny.” Ghost wanted to shut this conversation down fast, anxious that the serious talk would come to soon. Also he did not want the food to get cold.
Soap opened the bottles for them and handed one over, ready to clink them together. “To: I didn't burn the house down while cooking.”, he announced. “Can't argue with that.”, Ghost replied while pushing his mask up, exposing his mouth.
After each one taking a sip they both dug into the food and as expected it was very good. “Wasn't sure what to cook in th' beginning to be honest. But then I remembered seeing ye at th' canteen when they served ground meat casserole as well and yer eyes lit up. Like, th' same look ye get after a perfect shot.” Soaps cheeks flushed a bit red when he realized what he had said. Ghost smiled at that. He was right, and Soap was probably the only one who looked at him like that.
“I like it, it's good Johnny.”
After they finished eating and talking a bit about the last job and what was probably coming next, Soap snatched the TV remote and wiggled it around. “Ye wanna watch somethin' ? No idea what ye like to be honest.”, he said and turned on the TV without waiting for an answer. “Bet ye like watching these survival and gun YouTuber's and criticise them out loud.”, he laughed. But he was not wrong. Ghost had done that indeed.
“I don't have a preference.”, he lied as Soap zapped through the channels and some dumb reality TV show came by. “Ha!”, Soap called out and stopped at the show. “You want to watch this?”, Ghost asked. “No, ye want t' watch this! Yer body told me!”, he exclaimed.
“My body? The hell, Johnny?”
“I do nae ken how t' explain it but...uh ye reacted to it!”
“You're imagining things.”
“I don't! Ye wanna watch this or not?”
“I do.”, he gave in.
Pleased with himself, Soap placed the remote back on the table and made himself comfortable on the couch, purposely a bit closer to Ghost.
After they watched the show for about 15 minutes in total silence, minus the one time Ghost let out a “Bollocks” after one of the participants accused her girlfriend of cheating, Soap opened his mouth to say something he had thought about the whole evening. “Take of the mask.”
“Why should I?”, Ghost asked in return. “Wouldn’t it be more comfy without it? Besides I’ve already seen what’s under it, so, no need to hide. And we’re on leave. No one’s gonna jump up from behind the couch and attack.” Soap had a point but instead Ghost said: “You never know.” Soap rolled his eyes at that.
“Oh come on, let me see ye again.”
“Why?”
“Ye said it yourself. Ye’r pretty.”
“When did I say that?”
“In Las Almas, over coms, when I was fighting for my life while ye where busy sipping tea at the church!”, Soap let out dramatically.
“You can be a real nuisance, Johnny.” But nevertheless Ghost gave in and took his mask off.
“Hi.”, Soap said sheepishly and shifted closer again. Dangerously close. Ghost urged to lessen the space between them as well but what would come after that? A repetition of the situation at the safehouse?
But this was different. There was no immediate danger, nor a task, and especially no one besides themselves around. This was cosy, warm and safe. Things Ghost wasn't used to. But he didn't mind it in the slightest and wanted to enjoy it while he could.
“What now, Johnny?” He knew they should talk about them but didn't know how to start. Instead he waited for what the other might do. “Could look at this face all day. It's fascinating.”, Soap said while slowly bringing his hand up to Ghost's face, carefully tracing one of the many scars with his thumb. Ghost twitched slightly as the finger touched his skin, but it was enough to make Soap stop immediately.
“Sorry, should've asked first.”
“It's okay. Just not used to it.” he admitted. “Please continue.”
Soap obviously happy with his response, put his thumb back where it had been and this time it was Ghost who shifted closer, unable to hold back any longer even though his brain practically shouted at him how dangerous this was. But he didn't want to care about that right now. Soap had already broken down his defences more than anyone ever had and he wanted to allow himself some happiness.
Ghost placed one hand on Soap's face as well and pulled him closer until there was no space between them anymore and kissed him. It started with short kisses on the lips until Soap was all over his face, placing gentle little pecks on the scars, on his nose and forehead.
Overwhelmed, Ghost let his head sink into the crock of Soap's neck.
“Shouldn't we like, talk about it?”
“Let's just figure this out sometime else and simply enjoy it for now, yeah?”
They would figure it out together, eventually.