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Ghost came home after a long day of training and missions. It was all he did this day. Train until he can’t move anymore or do missions and risk his live while doing.
His muscles hurt as he just fell on the soft matress. He turned to his side and grabbed the pillow that had one Johnnys shirts on.
He hoped for a dreamless sleep.
But as ever fate wasn’t in his favor.
It was a strange first meeting. The masked man watched the marines jump out of the truck. They were led by a young man, he was a head shorter than Ghost. He came directly over to the scary looking Lieutenant. A bright smile on his face while he bumped a fist into his shoulder.
„Let's get us a win, eh, LT?“ The shorter man said, his smile like a ray of sunshine and his eyes full of sparkle. He turned and walked over to the waiting helo.
„Fucking hell…“ Simon mumbled.
He knew in this moment, that he was fucked.
„Hey LT!“ the friendly voice of Soap shouted across the whole base. It was all eyes on him and then on Ghost, who pinched his nose. He would probably never get rid of that annoying bastard.
„Wanna grab something to eat?“
„Yeah, but I do that alone.“ He hoped the younger one would get the hint.
„Aye, don’t be shy, big boy.“ The smile on the scots face moved something inside Ghost that he thought was long dead. It scared Ghost.
„If you can keep your mouth shut.“
„Yes, I’ll promise.“ The smile on Soaps face grew even wider. Ghost just rolled his eyes and started walking. Soap following him like a puppy. Ghost was thankful for the mask as it hid his small smile.
„It’s Simon.“
„What?“ The scot looked up confused. Ghost looked at him and sighed. He had hoped that the sounds of the helo would be loud enough so Soap wouldn’t hear him.
„My name. You asked. It’s Simon.“ The smile that warmed every inch of Ghosts heart appeared on the scots face. He just nodded and smiled. The pilot announced that they would land in one minute. The mexican special forces already waiting for them. They both got up and checked their equipment.
After the helo had landed the pair stepped out and was greeted by a friendly face. Soap was a few steps ahead of Ghost and met the other man first.
„Alejandro.“ Soap nearly hummed the name. Ghost started to wonder what his own name would sound like from the scots mouth.
„Sergeant MacTavish.“ Alejandros voice was strong and his accent thick. They shook hands.
„Call me Soap.“ The scot smiled and looked over to Ghost. Alejandro followed his gaze.
„Laswell said they call you Ghost.“
„Actually,“ Soap tried to correct and Ghost knew what would come. „I believe he prefers to be…“
„That’ll do!“ The brit barked. He was loud and his tone harsh. More than he intended to be. He saw how the scot curled his lips in disappointment.
God, did he knew how beautiful he looked when he did this?
„It’s just a scratch!“ Soap protested when Ghost pinned him down, looking at the bleeding wound on his shoulder.
„A scratch wouldn’t bleed like that.“ Ghost tried to look at the wound but Soap wiggled underneath him, trying to break free of Ghosts grip. „Hold still, goddamnit.“
„No!“ Soap continued to fight against Ghost. Until the bigger man put a hand on his throat, squeezing slightly. Ghost watched in horror and aroused how the cheeks of his sergeant turned red. He loosened his grip quickly.
„Now hold still or I’ll have to tie you up.“ Ghost noticed too late what words he had spoken and the damage he did. Soap smiled his sunshine smile underneath him.
„Give it a try.“ He responded, wriggling again to provoke Ghost. Unbeknown to him, he hid a spot that made Ghosts blood flow in a direction he did not like.
Quickly he led go of the sergeant and stood up. Hoping no one would notice the bulp in his pants.
„Alright. Not my problem if you bleed out.“ He turned to go but Soap was quickly on his feet and grabbed his hand.
„Wait. I’m sorry. Please, take a look at it.“
„Remove your shirt.“ Ghost ordered and Soap followed. Suddenly, Ghost wished he had started this operation in a private space. He took a deep breath and got to work.
Ghost had a bad feeling when Soap volunteered to meet El Sin Nombre. No comms. No weapons.
Only his gift to talk his way in and out of everything. And his face that was so easy to read. Ghost could only hope that El Sin Nombre wouldn’t notice how Soap scrunched his nose when he lied.
From his overwatch position he could only do so much. He could barely see anything, just the roofs and a few windows.
He had to admit that his heart skipped a beat when he heard Soaps voice through the comms. He was alive. He was safe. More or less.
And when Ghost finally saw him climb up on that roof he sighed relieved.
„Missed me, LT?“ The sergeant teased and looked over to him. The smile on his face like a beacon.
„Shut up and concentrate.“ Ghost hated how soft his voice was.
„Aye, LT.“ Ghost watched the man move with grace. Killing one of the guards on the roof with a smooth slit through the throat. It was beautiful. Then he lost sight on the sergeant again as he went inside. His heart started to beat faster as soon as he lost contact. He was nervous every time he lost sight on Soap.
If he could only take that man, wrap him up in bubble wrap and put him somewhere safe.
Ghost stood in front of Soaps room.
He knew it was wrong to be here.
He knew they would deploy in a few hours to take out one of Hassans missiles.
And still.
He couldn’t deny it anymore.
He rose his hand up, clenched his fist and let it hover over the wood of the door.
A deep breath.
He knocked.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
It was two in the morning. He didn’t thought that Soap would answer the door. He was probably fast asleep and wouldn’t even hear the knocks.
Ghost already turned to leave when he heard the soft shuffling of fabric on the other side of the door. He looked back at the door and waited.
Soap opened the door and looked up and Ghost. His gaze sleepy and surprised.
„LT? What are you doin ere?“ His voice was low and sleepy. He yawned and rubbed over his eyes.
Ghost thought it was fucking beautiful.
„Can I come in? Please?“ Ghost whispered, trying not to wake anyone else. He watched Soaps face as he considered it. Ghosts heart skipped a beat when Soap made a step back and opened the door a bit more. Opening the way for Ghost.
Ghost quickly took the invitation. He walked inside and looked around. Taking in everything Soap had in his room. From the scribbles on his desk to the notebook on the nightstand to the mess on the floor.
„Sorry, would’ve cleaned if you’d announce yer visit.“
Ghost just looked at him. Panic suddenly flowing hhim.
It was wrong.
He shouldn’t be here.
His mind was racing but his body was moving on auto-pilot. He took a step closer to Soap, one of his hands finding the back of Soaps neck. The other lifting his mask just to the bridge of his nose.
His mind was screaming to stop.
Ghost was screaming to stop.
But Simon. Simon needed this.
He leaned down and pressed his lips on Soaps. He tried to be genlte, although the last time he was gentle with someone was a very long time ago.
Soap froze. Just for a moment. Then he wrapped his arms around Ghosts neck and pulled him closer. Kissing him back gentle, willing. Needing.
Ghost didn’t know when they had gotten rid of their clothes. Or when they had landed on the bed.
He didn’t even care.
All that he cared for now was Johnny. Exploring every centimetre of the scots body with his hands and mouth. Praising every movement and any sinful sound that left the other man.
Simon had spent the night in Johnnys quarters. He wouldn’t have been able to walk anyway.
It the morning, Ghost was gone.
A few hours later they were on their way to an oil rig somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico that would hold one of Hassans missiles. Ghost kept his distance from Soap the whole time.
He felt guilty. For using Johnny. For leaving him. He couldn‘t look him in the eyes. That beautiful blue touched by sadness. Ghost was thankful that the group split up. That he wouldn’t have to work with Soap so close together. It stung when Graves informed him that they needed to get over to the boat he was clearing because the controls where there. It stung even more when je saw the shadow drive the boat up the ramp and crash it. Graves and the Shadow up on their feet first. Not even looking for Soap who laid passed out on the ground for a few seconds.
Ghost wanted to run over to him but he had to keep firing to keep the enemy soldiers from getting to them. Getting to Soap. He was relieved when Soap finally moved. Standing up and immediatly grabbing his weapon. Soap was fast, he worked his way through the moving containers and the enemies. Ghost was stunned by the grace Johnny showed. The joyful glow in his eyes as he planted the charge on the door that led them inside to the bridge of the ship. They quickly fought their way up and grabbed the controls.
With Graves‘ help Soap reprogrammed the missile to aim for the oil rig. Ghost was quick to warn Alejandro and the others on the rig to get their asses out of there. When the missile hit the oil rig and everything exploded he kept his eyes locked on Johnny. Fascinated by the look on his face. Like he had never seen anything more beautiful than this explosion. It made Ghost heart jump with joy.
On their way back to Alejandros base Ghost wanted to talk with Johnny, explain himself and his actions. But Soap chatted with Alejandro the whole time.
At the base, when Graves‘ car suddenly stopped in front of the gate and the american got out of his car, Ghost already had this gut feeling. The hair on his neck stood up and his gut twisted. He wanted to tell the driver to turn and drive away, but Soap and Alejandro left the car, already arguing with Graves. His desire to watch over Soap got Ghost to leave the car, too. A shadow on his back that he tried to keep in his field of view.
„That’s crazy… this is my base.“ Alejandro just said.
„It’s not a base.“ Graves stated. „It’s a… sizable covert facility. And I admire it. So I’m taking it.“ There was a change in his voice that Ghost didn’t like. „You boys have been relieved. Thank you for your service.“
Ghost heard Alejandro speak but didn’t pay attention, the shadow behind him moved and Ghost tried to keep him at least in his side view.
„You’re out of line, Graves.“ Johnnys voice picked Ghosts attention. He had moved and stood between Alejandro and Graves, one hand on Alejandros shoulder.
„Don’t do that. Don’t do that. No one needs to get hurt here.“
„Are you threatening us?“ Ghost spoke up. His voice calm but strong. He new the answer and asked still.
„Soldier, I don’t make threats.“ Graves nearly shouted as Ghost stood a few metres away. „I make guarantees. So, let’s not do this.“
„I’m calling Shepherd.“ Soap stated calmly and turned to walk away. He only made a few steps before he froze as Graves spoke again.
„General Shepherd sends his regards. Told me y’all wouldn’t take this well.“
„He knows about this?“ Ghost wasn’t able to hide the surprise in his voice.
„He put me in command of this operation from here on out. So y’all need to stand down. It’s time to let the pros finish this.“
Ghost and Johnny shared a look. They both knew this would be going down fast very soon. They heard Graves talking but didn’t take his words in. It was just the two of them for a few seconds. Making out a plan just with one look.
„And who do you think you are, cabrón? My men are inside!“ Alejandro was fuming. He shouted at the other man as if he could get some sense in him.
„I’m afraid not.“ Graves was dangerously calm again. „Your men have been… detained.“
From this moment everything happened pretty quickly. Alejandro tried to attack Graves who seemed to have known about this. He made a quick step to the side and pushed the bigger man against the car. His shadow restraining him.
„Graves, what the fuck?!“ Johnny shouted and the two of them watched Graves and his Shadow raise their weapons. The shadow shot at Soap first.
Ghost wasn’t able to see everything. He just heard the shots and started to move. The shadow behind him quickly met Ghosts elbow with his face. Another shadow in front of Ghost didn’t even have time to react when Ghost already got his knive up and stabbed him. In one smooth movement Ghost turned and threw his knive into the first shadows neck.
His blood froze in his veins when he heard Soap grunt in pain. Ghost quickly got into cover behind the car, right next to Soap, looking over to him and seeing Johnny on the floor a dead shadow on him.
„Go, Johnny, get out of here.“ He couldn’t hide the worry in his voice. Johnny didn’t move. Panic already climbing up Ghosts spine. „Soap – go!“ His voice was stronger this time. A lieutenant that gave his Sergeant an order.
And Johnny followed that order. He pushed the dead shadow off of him and got to his feet. He stumbled towards a barrier, another shadow noticing and firing at him. Soap pushed himself over and Ghost only saw how the shadow that looked after him dropped dead to the ground.
He could hear Graves talk to him but he didn’t intend on listening to him any longer. Quickly he got up and vanished.
Ghost fought his way through the town. Part of him telling him to turn around and get to Johnny. But they were both better off alone. Especially Ghost. He knew Johnny was hurt, although he didn’t know how bad it was he still hoped the scot would be alright.
When he heard the shadows talking over the comms he stopped and took cover in an empty house. Switching through different channels. The first channel had some shadows talking. Nothing too important.
The next channel had shadows talking about the plaza he just left. They must have found the bodies.
He switched the channel again and it was dead silent. As he wanted to switch it again he heard the familiar static.
„This is Bravo 7-1 in the blind. How copy?“
„Soap…“ Ghost whispered. He tried to fumble for his mic when he felt cold steel in his neck.
„Gottcha.“ A man with a thick american accent said. A shadow.
„You have three seconds to retreat before I kill you.“ Ghost heard a silent laugh behind him.
„Ghost, this is 7-1. Do you copy?“ Soaps voice echoed through the room. The shadow laughing louder.
„So the fucking scot is alive, too. The commander will promote me for killing both of you.“ Ghost felt the gun slightly shift as the shadow unlocked his weapon. Ghost moved fast. He let himself fall to the left and turned to his stomach so he could quickly get up. He heard the gunshot pass his ear by centimetres. Pushing himself from the ground and to the surprised shadow, Ghost quickly pulled his knive out and quickly pushed it down the shadows neck. Ghost watched the life leave the others eyes as he placed him against a wall. He looked around. He was in the backroom of a store. No one would find him here.
„Soap, this is Ghost. How copy?“ Ghost had quickly fumbled for his comms to answer Johnny. He tried to ignore the sting in his heart when Johnny didn’t answer. „Johnny…?“ Ghost waited another moment, his heart aching even more with every second that passed. „Johnny… How copy?“
„Solid.“ A relieved breath left Ghost. He thanked the gods he didn’t even believed in that Johnny was alright.
Now they just had to get out of this city.
On their way to Alejandros savehouse they were silent. Johnny from the blood loss and Ghost because he was thinking. Their banter while getting Johnny through Las Almas… The flirting. The obvious flirting. Ghost hadn’t deserved this after what he had done to Johnny. Leaving him after their night together. But obviously Johnny wasn’t mad at him.
„Can hear yer thinking..“ Johnny spoke silently. His voice just above a whisper. He was tired, Ghost knew that.
„Sleep, we still have a lot of ground to cover.“ Ghost was surprised how soft his own voice could be.
„Yer drivin‘ like a maniac… Cannae sleep like this.“ Johnny moved to sit upright again, pushing himself from the window he was leaned against. Ghost could feel his eyes on himself. „What are ye thinkin‘ about?“
„You.“ Ghost wished he could take this simple word back, but there was no turning back. „It’s always you since… since we first met. I tried to bury those feelings and I failed. I took advantage of you and then I left you and…“
„Ghost. Stop.“ Johnny placed his hand Ghost thigh. Squeezing slightly. „You didn’t take advantage.“
„I did.“
„No.“
„And I left you…“
„You did, yes. But it’s okay.“
„No, it’s not.“
„It is.“
„Johnny…“
„Simon.“ Ghost pulled over and stopped the car. He looked over to Johnny and felt starstruck as he looked into those deep blue eyes. Johnny leanes over and cupped Ghosts face. „You’re a daft bastard. Thinking you took advantage of me? I would have pushed you out that door as soon as your lips had touched mine. I have the same the same feelings for you. Fuck, Simon. I love you.“
Simon had never before pulled his mask up so fast. Their lips met as soon as the confession had left Johnnys mouth. Their kiss felt like eternity and it was still to short for Ghost when Johnny pulled back to catch his breath.
Ghost tried to open his mouth to say something but Johnny was faster. He pressed one finger in Ghosts lips so he stayed silent. Johnny gently grabbed his mask and pulled it down again over his face.
„When this is over. When we’re back on base and the bad guys dead. We will talk. We will kiss. Maybe more. But for now we need to keep going. Alright, love?“
Ghost turned red and just nodded. If he had tried to talk it would have just been some gibberish. He promised to himself to get those fuckers so he could enjoy his time with Johnny.
And they did it.
Graves was a hard bastard, but still easy for the 141 and Los Vaqueros.
Hassan… He was a pain in the ass.
It was the first time that Ghost felt uneasy on overwatch. After Graves, after that close call with the fucking tank, he wanted to be close to Johnny. To watch over him. Protect him.
So when he heard, that they were attacked by Hassans men and that Johnny had followed them. Alone. Without a weapon.
His heart ached again. His mind spinned.
He tried to calm himself and Johnny through talking with him over the comms. Helping him with surviving and improvising.
And then the comms turned silent.
Then he heard Johnnys hurt voice.
„Ghost… Watch the windows…“
Ghost ran as fast as he could. He positioned his sniper and watched in horror as Hassan lifted Soap up on his feet.
Soaps back to the broken window.
Only one step away from the edge.
Ghost aimed.
And shot.
„Hey, Johnny…“ Ghost whispered. He looked around and sat down next to him. He placed some flowers in front of him. „Been a few days since my last visit. I missed you…“ He slowly placed a hand on the cold stone, brushing off some dust. Trying to ignore how hard his hand was shaking. „I miss you every day.“ Ghost looked at what was in front of him.
Sgt. John „Soap“ MacTavish
1995 – 2022
Loving friend and husband
Ghost started crying. Leaning against the cold tombstone. Hugging it as if it was the man he tried to talk to. Asking himself why it had to happen. Wondering what he could have done to prevent this.