Chapter Text
Soap awoke the following morning with three texts from Ghost, and a smile on his face.
Ghost: Okay, that's done. Are you still awake?
Ghost: As I said earlier, I'd prefer a date over the next weekend. Either Saturday or Sunday works for me. I'm not big on movies, but I'd love to go out to eat. Thoughts?
Ghost: I'm assuming you're asleep. Sleep well, Johnny.
Soap kicked his feet under the covers and replied.
Me: I can think of a few things I'd like to eat. ;) Dinner sounds good. Somewhere quiet, preferably.
Me: And you're right: I fell asleep. Sorry about that.
Me: Good morning, by the way. I hope your day goes smoothly.
Soap got dressed and was on his way to the mess hall when his phone buzzed again.
Ghost: Good morning. :) Sleep well?
Ghost: I'm about to get in the car to take my nephew to school. I'm off today, so don't get into trouble with dispatch—I promised Joseph an ice cream date after school and I do not break promises.
Me: Noted. Nephew is very important. How old?
Ghost: Seven.
Soap grinned, grabbed himself a tray of food and sat down at an empty table. He took a pic of the tray and sent it to Ghost.
Me: Please tell me your scran is better than this crap.
Ghost: ...I can't even tell what that's supposed to be.
Me: Neither could they. I think eggs?
Ghost: ...I'm paying for dinner. You've been tortured enough.
Soap barked out a surprised laugh, which caught Gaz' attention. He skipped out of the breakfast line and slammed into Soap's side. “Who're you texting this early?”
“Ghost!”
Gaz' eyebrows shot up before a salacious grin spread across his face. Soap rolled his eyes and showed Gaz the phone before he got any ideas. Gaz snorted at Ghost's commentary about breakfast, gave Soap a quick pat on the back, and went back to the breakfast line. The recruit he had been in front of before he left let him back in, so Gaz was soon back to annoy Soap. “Where are you going to dinner?”
“Hadn't decided yet. If he's gonna pay, I might let him pick.”
Gaz chewed on his fork. “That's awfully charitable of you.”
“I'd even take McDonald's over this breakfast, to be honest.”
“A cheap date, then?”
Soap leveled a look at Gaz. “Mate, you know how long I've wanted this man. If he wants a cheap date, I will be the cheapest date.”
Gaz threw back his head and laughed. “You know what? That's fair. Think I can lure Roach the same way?”
“Roach was looking at the cameras the other day. Maybe you could get good at charades and lure him that way,” Soap teased. The boys laughed, then finished their 'breakfast' running out to complete the day's duties.
Soap had just made his way back into his room that evening when his phone buzzed again.
Ghost: If you're behaving, you should be just finishing up for the day. How'd today go?
Soap snorted and rolled his eyes. He eagerly flopped himself onto his bed as he formulated his reply.
Me: I behave perfectly well, thank ye very much. Today was full of the normal stupid. Got a guy who insists on being called “Shadow” fer some fucking reason. I think he's trying to imitate ye. How'd yer ice cream date go?
Ghost: [1 Image Attached]
Soap eagerly opened the attachment and nearly had a heart attack on the spot. It was a selfie of Ghost and a young boy, both holding ice cream cones up toward the camera, wearing matching grins. The only difference is the young boy already had ice cream smeared around his mouth.
Me: Joseph looks so much like you. If you cover dinner, I can cover dessert and we can nab Joseph so he can join us. I can respect a wee lad that appreciates mint chocolate chip.
Ghost: Sounds like a plan. He'd like that a lot. His mum might not unless we change from dinner to lunch.
Ghost: Speak of dinner, how was the 'scran' this evening?
Me: Boiled chicken, mash, and beans.
Me : Solid copy on switching to lunch, btw.
Ghost: You poor thing. I swear, I'm bringing you dinner one of these days.
Me: Ye cook? Does Roach? Gaz could use some savin' as well. ;)
Ghost: Noted. I cook, yes. My mum taught me.
Me: What's yer favorite meal of hers? My mam always makes this rosemary chicken and tatties when I'm home. Nothing better.
Ghost: You're going to make fun of me.
Ghost: Bangers and mash.
Ghost: I don't know how she does it, but I've never found a place that makes it like she does.
Me: I'd love to try it someday, if she'd allow me.
Ghost: Noted. ;)
Ghost: You visit your parents often?
Me: Not as often as I'd like. They're up in Scotland, and duty calls. I try to go at least twice a year. Last time I saw them I was on med leave. I'm not counting that one.
Ghost: You live with them?
Me: Nah. Got an apartment about 15 mins away from them. They babysit the grand-kids while my siblings are at work, and I could use some quiet sometimes. You?
Ghost: I bought the house next door, lol
Soap blinked at his phone. He blinked some more, then decided to channel his inner Gaz.
Me: bruv
Ghost was silent for several minutes, then the three typing dots appeared, followed by an image. Soap hesitantly opened the image only to be greeted by the sight of Ghost, on the ground, clutching his sides. He was red in the face with tears streaming down as he laughed. Joseph was standing behind him, making a face at the camera alongside another man. Soap clicked out of the image and looked down at the wall of text that had appeared.
Ghost: Hi, this is Beth, Jo's mom. You broke my brother-in-law so bad he had to make us read this chat in order to understand anything. I'm totally cool with you both taking Jo for ice cream as long as it's for lunch, thank you for offering. Btw, the other man is Tommy, Simon's younger brother and my husband. All three are now play-wrestling on the floor. Simon's winning.
Me: Hi, Beth! I'm Soap! And of course he is! He's a braw lad. Tell him to ease up on Jo. The lad likes mint chocolate chip and I'm not there to defend him myself.
Ghost: Message relayed. He says he'll kick your butt when he sees you next.
Me: Warn him that means we won't be behaving.
Ghost: Careful, Johnny.
Me: Hi, Ghostie. :3
Me: Did you win?
Ghost: Jo won.
Me: It was the ice cream. Gave him special powers.
Ghost: Of course, of course.
Ghost: My brother's teasing me for trying to date someone named “Soap”
Me: Need a selfie?
Ghost: Well, I'm unopposed, but it's going to do nothing to sway my brother, I guarantee you.
Soap eagerly went back through his reels and found his most recent gym selfie. He was posed in front of the mirror, Gaz making a face behind him as both of them showed off their abs.
Me: A wee treat for Roach as well.
Ghost: ...You're a menace.
Me: Oh?
Me: Gonna call the MP's on me?
Ghost: It's Jo's bedtime. Gotta go help.
Ghost: See you tomorrow, Johnny. ;)
Me: I'm in danger. :)