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Gaz had been the one to find out first. It was Soaps fault, really. He had been the one that carelessly mentioned spending time with his boyfriend while on leave while telling a story to the man. “Wait,” He had interrupted, “You have a boyfriend?”
Soap froze. Ghost and him have been dating for a good four months now but they’ve agreed to keep it a secret as long as possible in fear of higher ups finding out and involving themselves. He goes over every exact word he just said, making sure that he didn’t accidentally say the name.
“Who’s the lucky guy?” Gaz asks, wiggling his eyebrows.
In his brain somewhere he thanked the universe for not letting him be too dumb. Soap just shrugged in response. After that, pretty much the whole 141 one knew along with Alejandro and Rudolfo. It had happened long before he could even stop it.
“Did you guys know that Soap has a boyfriend?” Gaz had told the group one day. Ghost, smart bastard, didn’t react other than shooting a glance his way.
“Oh really?” Price asked, putting out his cigar, “Who’s the lucky bloke?”
The other sergeant sighed dramatically, “He won’t tell. Won’t even give me a name.”
They all stared at Soap now. The room seemed to grow smaller at this moment as sweat dripped from his forehead. It was as if all names had suddenly slipped from his mind at that moment. What were names? Who had them? Did boyfriends?
“His name is Sean,” His boyfriend, who very much had a name, covers as of its nothing. It brings the attention off of Soap which he knows was intentional on Simon’s part. The man pulls up the balaclava and lights a cigarette. Then, blows out the smoke. He continues, “Met on one of our missions. That’s why Johnny never mentioned him.”
“You met him?” Laswell asks.
“Affirmative.”
“When?”
“On leave. Went to go check up on Soap as per Price’s orders. Found out he wasn’t alone. Informed Price that all was well with him and left.”
Price turns to Soap with an accusing finger, “Is this why you were being strange before leave? And why you didn’t answer your bloody phone?”
The second part of the sentence had a bit more venom to it than the first. Which, Price was worried. In all honesty, his phone had been off for that whole day because Simon was having a particularly rough morning. He didn’t think much of it at the time. Until the lieutenants phone started ring and when he answered, he had heard Price’s frantic yelling on the other end.
It makes sense. In their line of work, someone not answering could mean that they’re either in danger or worse. The dangers come from inside the house sometimes, as well. This paired with how Soap had refused to look their Captain in the eye before they left… Well he could understand.
So they had lied. Again. They got Simon to be as put together as they could in the span of a couple of hours and had him call Price, acting as if he just gotten to Soap’s.
“We were busy,” Soap shrugged, “Sorry for not sayin’ anything earlier. We’ve only been dating for goin’ on five months now.”
Simon’s quick cover up story had given him enough time to think of some sort of apology. He’ll have to find a way to thank him for that later. Which, he has a few ideas. The taller man huffs out a breath slightly. To everyone else it probably just looked like disinterest in the conversation but Soap had known it was relief. Relief that he had gotten his head back.
“Is it serious between you guys?” Laswell asked. At the question, a pair of brown eyes bore into his skull. Not obviously. But he could feel them. They ran calculatingly over his face, searching for some type of hesitation to answer the question.
There was none. Johnny nodded, “Yes. Very.”
Gaz sat up, shoving at his shoulder excitedly, “Do you want to marry this one?”
Simon repositioned himself from where he was sitting relaxed to a more upright position, all ears now. This time, obvious. However, everyone else was doing the same. They all leaned towards him as if it were the final shot at a football game on a little pub screen. He glanced around, “Yeah. I do.”
It was honest. He did. He wanted to marry Simon. He wanted them to grow old together until they were two old men bickering about who would walk the dogs that day. He wanted to look at Simon and tell him how much he means to him in front of everyone they cared about. It’s the God honest truth.
And Ghost sat back at that moment. He took a long drag from his cigarette, attempting to hide the small grin that dared to take over his face. Soap almost sighed. Almost. But if he had, it would’ve been strange timing. So he didn’t.
Price cheered loudly, clapping him on the shoulder, “Then we have to meet him. This Saturday, at that little bar right outside of base. I’ll have Rudy and Alejandro get over here. We’ll make a whole night of it, yeah? Where’s he from?”
“He’s a Brit,” Simon smirks now.
“Oh, I like him already!”
“Captain, with all due respect—“ Soap starts but he’s already been cut off with everyone excitedly planning. And just for a moment, he curses the day Gaz was born.
———
Saturday comes fast. In all honesty, Soap had been hoping that he had spontaneously died that day. It was much better than the plan they had come up with. They’re going to try and get away with this by having them meet Ghost. Just without a mask. “It’s not going to work,” He groaned, running a hand through his wet mohawk.
“It will,” Simon says, pulling a shirt over his head, “Don’t start doubting me now. Get dressed, Mactavish.”
A pair of pants and a t-shirt are flung his way. He catches it with ease. This wasn’t going to work. Sure, they’ve never seen Ghost’s face. They’ve never met Simon before. But they’ll know his voice, there’s no doubt. The 141 has served together for a while now and have saved each other’s lives countless times.
They live together, they eat together, they train together— hell they even spend free time together. You don’t just forget the voice of someone who you spend that much time with, especially not if they’ve saved your sorry ass more times then you could count.
“They’ll recognize your voice,” He starts, sliding the pants on and then the shirt. It was nothing special. Just clothes that would help them blend in a bit better with the civilians around them. Simon picks out a hoodie from Soap’s collection and puts it on. It covers the identifying markings on him, aka the scars and the tattoos.
The lieutenants didn’t respond to him. Johnny knew that he was worrying a lot but it’s not unnecessarily unfounded. He walked up to the blond, resting a hand on his cheek. He leaned into the touch immediately and closed his eyes. It was only brief. He reopened them, staring at the sergeant with a look he’s never seen from him before.
It was serious. Well, Ghost is serious 99% of the time. What he means is it was soft. Genuine. A gaze so intense you could find yourself buried in it. “I’m not ashamed of you, Johnny,” He mumbles, “Never could be. I’d just like to keep our jobs, is all. But if they find out tonight then they find out. I thought you would’ve accidentally revealed it earlier, if I’m honest.”
He places a kiss on the inside of the man’s wrist. Soap was about to protest to the teasing when he shot forwards, catching the words on his lips before they were even formed. He sighs contently. Then, says once they’re parted, “Can’t we just stay here instead? Maybe have a bit of our own fun.”
“We already had ‘fun’, Johnny. Now we have to get the rest of this night over with. You go first.”
Soap is yet again cursing the day that Gaz was born. He would also attempt to curse the day that Price was brought into this world also but he feels like that man would just somehow know that he did. Without bothering to ask how Ghost would manage to sneak out of base, he captures the man’s lips in one more chaste kiss before he’s being ushered out of the bunk.
———
Soap stood anxiously outside the pub awaiting for his date that was actually his boyfriend that he was going to introduce to his friends— although technically they knew him already because he was actually their lieutenant and feared trained killer, Simon “Ghost” Riley but who’s counting, right? He took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself down. It’s not that he doesn’t trust Simon’s idea. It’s just…
He doesn’t trust the idea. Especially because they’ll have to keep Ghost from talking for as long as possible. Which, could give them away for two reasons. One, why would he not talk? He’s supposed to being introduced to them so he’s supposed to explain things about himself. Two, what other man stands at 6’4, doesn’t speak, and has a general threatening demeanor?
A hand lands on his shoulder. He jumps slightly. “We got this, okay? Look alive, Johnny,” Simon says into his ear, guiding him towards the entrance. Which he’s grateful for. Because he doesn’t think he’d every step off of that curb.
He turns for a second to just admire Simon. The scars that stretch across multiple areas of his face, the blond hair that was starting to get a bit on the longer side due to him not having the time to cut it— Simon.
Who was actually Sean tonight.
They make their way over to the table and Johnny puts on his best grin. He greets them loudly. Everyone eyes Ghost— aka Sean— curiously as they walk over to the group. As soon as Price turns his head, he fucks it all up. They hadn’t even gotten a chance.
He was mid sip at that moment in time so he ends up choking on his beer before promptly spitting it out all over the table. Everyone goes silent for a moment. Right. Price. Price who knows what Ghost looks likes underneath the mask. Price who they both forgot about. As Gaz slaps a hand on on his back trying to calm the coughing fits coming from the older man, Soap prays that Price sees what they’re attempting and follows along.
“Sorry,” He croaks, “Just wasn’t expecting him to be so big.”
“And handsome,” Alejandro mumbles causing Rudy to furrow his eyebrows at him. The man raises up his hands in mock surrender. Everyone sort of laughs them both off while Soap is so internally grateful that he did not curse that man’s birth earlier today like he wanted. Simon squeezes his shoulder. “Right,” Soap places a hand on his boyfriend’s back, “This is Sean.”
“Are you pulling my leg right now?” Price asks, the double meaning only caught by the three of them. Ghost tenses slightly.
“No, Price. This is my boyfriend,” He awkwardly chuckles as the two men sat down at the table, “This is seriously my boyfriend.”
“Mary mother of Jesus— How the hell did you manage that? And you, Sean. Soap? What do you see in this funky little dude?”
Alejandro laughs at that, agreeing with Price loudly. Soap feels kinda betrayed. Not gonna lie. He forgot the whole teasing thing that comes with introducing a new significant other to the found family. But he’s not introducing. They know him. They just don’t know it. The man introduces everyone as Soap is too busy at sending eye signals to Price that they could discuss this later. Price sips his beer.
“And the famous Ghost isn’t here. Hey, where is he anyways?” Alejandro finishes, turning to Laswell.
She sits up, “Oh he was feeling a little under the weather today. He couldn’t make it. But that’s okay because they’ve already met before and if Sean passes the Ghost test when it comes to Soap, then we shouldn’t be too worried right?”
The whole table mumbles agreements. “Or,”Gaz laughs into his drink, “He’s not here because he couldn’t bare to see his Johnny with another man. You see, Sean. Soap and Ghost are what we call ‘work husbands.’”
Oh, God. Ever since his friend had learned that term he’s been nonstop saying it to Soap in this exact context. He groaned. Simon only raised his eyebrow and smiled an open mouth smile, “Uh??”
He managed to get out. Johnny could hear how he tried to desperately take the low growl out of his voice. And surprisingly, it worked. It was certainly weird to hear but it worked. “Oh, don’t listen to Gaz,” Rudy chimed in, “You have nothing to worry about when it comes to Ghost.”
He pauses. Considers his words. Which, they are horridly untrue. Ghost does have a jealous, kind of possessive streak which is something he says he wants to work on. But, Johnny doesn’t mind. He actually really likes it. He likes to see Simon get all worked up over another person flirting with him.
He likes to suddenly feel the other man’s chest pressed on his back as he looms over the person from behind Soap. And judging from the way they always tense before running off, he’s giving his best glare. If they’re not on base then Ghost will follow the same path but will also snake his arm around his waist and pull him impossibly closer. It always made him feel some type of way. And it was always positive. He likes the idea that he’s Simon’s and Simon’s his. He adores that Simon isn’t afraid to fight for that right either.
Maybe he should call his therapist.
“Actually,” Rudy continues, “Maybe you should be worried.”
Simon smiles smugly at that and shrugs. Cheeky bastard. The rest of the group stares at him as if he’s lost his mind. Which if Sean were real, he probably would’ve. Price just huffs a chuckle.
“Not one for many words are ya’, Sean?” Gaz asks.
“No, he’s actually very shy,” Soap answers for him, “Let him warm up a bit, he’ll come around.”
The night goes on well. The only thing is Soap is now starting to see the effects of Simon being maskless in public is starting to effect him. Whenever no one’s paying attention to him, his eyes dart around the room wildly and his leg starts to bounce. Every once in a while he’ll answer questions with the best attempt at a voice that’s not his. Once the bouncing starts getting a bit too frantic, Soap reaches down and grips his thigh gently. He squeezes a message in morse code for him. “Safe.”
Simon nods, immediately relaxing into the touch. Soap is half tempted to put an end to this. Just tell them the truth. He brought the balaclava without letting his boyfriend know just in case it became too much for him to handle and it seems to be heading that way. He fiddles with the folded up item in his pocket, considering it. But it seems as if he knows. He places a hand on the one on his thigh, squeezing, “No” into it.
After a while, Price takes notice of it also. Everyone else is laughing along to something that Rudy just said so Simon shakes his head at the captain. The older man sits back slightly. It means the world to Soap that his boyfriend is doing this for them but he’s not sure if it’s worth it. The bar is packed tonight. Maybe if it was just their little group it would’ve been a different story.
“Okay,” Laswell says, slamming her hands on the table and causing everyone to look at her. She leans forwards. Her eyes catch the two men’s. It’s that expression that she gets right before she goes all mom mode on the group. Soap prayed it wasn’t the shovel talk.
“I was going to let you guys get away with it but seeing as Ghost is literally about two seconds away from a panic attack, Soap don’t listen to him and give him the mask,” She motions towards Soap’s pocket, “I’m very happy for the both of you. Congratulations and fucking finally.”
Now the whole group’s mouths are wide open. Ghost seems to have forgotten about his breakdown, instead opting to glance between her and Soap frantically. “Ghost?” Gaz is the first to break the silence.
The silence then continues. Everyone’s gawking at Simon, scanning his facial features as if the skull mask would suddenly materialize on his face and confirm Laswell’s dramatic accusation. Soap sighs, taking the balaclava out and slapping it on the table. Everyone dramatically gasps.
“No fucking way?”
“Was this a prank?”
“Is that your actual face?”
“Are you sleeping with Ghost?”
“Ghost, why are you hot?”
“¡Alejandro, compórtate!”
“What he has that whole rugged look going on! I’m allowed to compliment my friends I see no issue, here.”
Johnny rolls his eyes, picking up the skull balaclava and turning to his boyfriend. He grabs both sides of his cheeks. Simon closes his eyes immediately, breathing out a long breath through his nose. “Thank you. I’m proud of you,” The sergeant says, placing a kiss on his forehead before slipping the balaclava on. Ghost secures it on his face.
The whole table erupts into chaos again. Once the initial shock calms down, they asked Laswell how she clocked them. She lets out an amused snort. Something about how she could tell just by looking him in the eyes because she’s so used to having to search his eyes for any type of feeling and then apparently the anxiety was a big give away. But what sealed it for her? The Morse code squeezing. Apparently, they do that without realizing all the time. On missions, at hangouts, during debriefs— All. The. Time.
“So, Ghost,” Rudy smiles awkwardly and Soap could swear he saw the swear gathering on his face. Ghost hums, placing an arm around Soap comfortably. He brings the balaclava up only enough for him to drink out of his glass of bourbon, now being able to drink it without it being a dead giveaway.
He continues, “About those jealousy comments…”
“Yeah?” Ghost smirks, pulling Soap a bit closer to him. Rudy watches it happen. He then just sticks his thumb up, pulling his own lips into his mouth. Honestly, because it’s Rudy, he’ll get away with the jokes because it’s literally Rudy.
“I just…” Gaz says, staring at the table, “Ghost?”