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Chapter Text

Simon “Ghost” Riley rolled his eyes as his pager went off. His partner, George “Petri Dish” Jenkins groaned as he scoured the radio notes and they only read “Soap. Send Ghost.”

Ghost sat back in his chair with a sigh. “Damnit, Roach.” He grunted and stood up.

“Where is he?”

“Covering Dispatch.”

Petri shuddered. “I'm never doing that again, I swear.”

“The term is “crash with entrapment” not “trash with encrapment,”” Ghost sing-songed and Petri threw a blind punch that missed by several meters.

“I fucking hate shifts with you, I swear.” Petri grumbled.

“You're the one who bet Roach he couldn't climb onto that statue. Besides, you owe him for calling out last week.”

“I was sick!”

“Yer always sick. C'mon.”

“M'not going!”

Ghost scruffed Petri and shoved him toward the police car. “'Soap' means bring two officers because the muppet likes to do our job for us and get himself in trouble doing it. Either you drive, or I'm driving us both.”

Petri scrambled to reorient himself and dive into the driver's seat. Ghost settled into the passenger seat, and let his mind wander.

Life as a Military Police officer wasn't so bad. He got paid time off, had decent benefits, and could go home when he wasn't on duty—his mother was particularly fond of that benefit. His nephew loved to brag that his uncle was a police man and protected them from the bad men. Ghost smiled beneath the medical mask he wore when he worked with Petri. Maybe he'd take Joseph on a play-date soon.

The drive was uneventful. The check-in at the base was uneventful. Ghost wished he could say the meeting with Soap was uneventful.

Petri stayed back as Ghost snuck up to the unaware Sergeant. “MacTavish.”

Soap jolted, but kept his hand on a shuddering closet door. “Steaming Jesus, Ghost! Give a man a warning!”

“No.”

Soap rolled his eyes and grinned at Ghost. “Love that about ye.” His eyes flicked over toward Petri. “No Roach today?”

“He's covering for someone in dispatch.”

“Damn shame, that. Gaz wanted tae see him.”

“So you cause chaos to get us to show up?”

“Oh, naw. The bastard in here was trying something.” He thrust his chin over toward a woman Ghost just noticed huddling in the corner. “Ye might wanna speak tae her all quiet-like. She's got the full story. I'll release this bastard when yer ready.”

One infuriating story later, Ghost handed a soon-to-be-former Lance Corporal over to Petri in cuffs before going back to Soap. “She vouched for you.”

Soap gave a surprised grunt. “Dinnae expect that.”

“Seeing as you didn't actually harm him, you simply put him in a closet to hold him until we arrived, we just need your statement, and then we'll be on our way.”

Soap grinned lazily up at Ghost. “Going soft on me, Ghostie?”

“No games today, Soap. Petri Dish is already in a mood, and I don't want to risk anyone getting sick with whatever he comes down with next week.”

Ghost saw in real time Soap's playful persona slip off, and Sergeant MacTavish come to the forefront. He fought to suppress a shudder as the playful blues turned icy cold. “Understood. Ready to copy?”

Captain John Price and Sergeant Kyle “Gaz” Garrick wandered over as Soap was finishing giving his statement. They clocked Petri pouting by the door with his prisoner, gave them a wide berth, and strode over.

“...And that's when I threw him in the closet and called you.”

“Should call me next time, muppet,” Price growled.

Soap blinked at his captain—icy blues defrosting to something warmer and brighter. “Ye were in that meetin' with the General.”

Price blinked back. He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. “No general is more important than the safety of my base, Soap.”

“But ye have measures in place for when yer not here. Shouldn't those be the first line of defense?”

“Tav, just admit you wanted to see your boyfriend and let's move on,” Gaz teased.

Both Ghost and Soap flushed pink, causing Price to look between them with a raised eyebrow. “Oh?”

“He's not my boyfriend,” Ghost choked out.

“Yet,” Soap muttered low enough for only Ghost to hear.

Ghost narrowed his eyes at Soap then turned to address the Captain. “Please excuse us for a brief moment, Captain. I shall return him unharmed.” Ghost scruffed Soap and dragged him off to the side, out of earshot of everyone. “Yet?” He hissed. “What the fuck does that mean?”

Soap grinned at him, bright and full. “I was plannin' on askin' ye for yer number and askin' ye out on a date. Roach told me yer single and into blokes, so I was gonna give it a try.” His smile slipped off his face and he scuffed his boot onto the tile. “Unless ye don't wanna. That's fine, too. S'not gonna stop me from doing what I'm doing regardless.”

Ghost stared blankly at the wall over Soap's shoulder. “I am going to kill Roach.”

“Please don't,” Soap grinned. “Ky would kill me.”

“A murder match made in heaven,” Ghost mumbled before scruffing Soap once more and returning him to his team.

Price gave them both a quick once-over before turning to Ghost. “Alright?”

“Yes, sir. Is there anything you wish to do about the Lance Corporal we're arresting before we take him?”

“What's the charge?”

“Sexual Assault. The victim should be in Medical getting checked out. Medical should have a report for you when you get there.”

Price gave a quick glance at the door. The Lance Corporal perked up as if Price would save him. He deflated with a cry when Price turned back toward Ghost and said, “Get rid of that trash. I'll have the video footage pulled and sent to you as soon as I'm back in my office.”

“Understood.” Ghost pulled out a notepad, wrote something quick on it, passed it off to Soap, and nodded his head toward the Captain. “Then please excuse us. I'll make sure our report is on your desk as soon as possible.” Price waved him off, and turned his attention to his sergeants who were now fighting over the paper Soap had been given. Ghost turned and strode back to Petri, helping him escort the now-limp Lance Corporal off the base.

Chapter Text

“Go a week without causing trouble, and I'll consider it.”

Soap was pouting, he'll admit it. He thought he finally could snag a date with the handsome MP Ghost. He had blushed so prettily when Gaz had called them boyfriends that Soap had almost jumped him right there. Now Ghost was testing him.

“Go a week without causing trouble, and I'll consider it.”

The note was now pressed in his journal. A little torn from where Gaz had tried to grab it, but still intact. Soap sighed and shut his journal, tucking it back into his desk. It's nearly been a week, and Soap hasn't really slept. Gaz finally stopped teasing him when Soap snapped the handle of the mug he'd been holding. His temper snapped along with it, and Price had given Soap the rest of the day off.

Soap chose the time to calm down in the quiet of his room and reflect. The Lance Corporal had been found guilty, Price had thanked him for handling it without bloodshed this time, the recruit that was assaulted decided to quit, and Soap's blood boiled.

He wanted to punch the Lance Corporal. Wanted to break his bones. Smash his face into the tile. He didn't. He simply removed him from the picture for a while and tossed the hoodie he'd been wearing at the time at the recruit so she could cover up. She had returned it, freshly washed, the following evening. He did everything right, so why was Ghost testing him? With a grunt, he stalked to the gym to take his frustration out on the punching bag.

His limbs had fallen into a numb sort of rhythm when he was grappled from behind and slammed onto the mat, pinned atop his grappler by pale, thick arms and legs and facing the ceiling . “What the--”

“Causing trouble, Johnny?” A gruff, Manchester accent purred in his ear.

Soap stiffened, then wiggled in an attempt to spin around. “Ghost, ye weapon, what the fuck!”

Ghost chuckled. The sound vibrated through Soap's whole body. “Called out to you like, three times. Didn't hear me?” Ghost finally released Soap from the pin and Soap sprang up. Ghost was grinning at him from the mats, dressed in his uniform. Wait, his uniform.

“Yer here on business.”

“A little, yeah. Roach sent me to hunt for you while he handles it. Someone thinks someone stole something, so we just need surveillance footage to confirm what was stolen, and by who. Figured you've been good enough, even if the punching bag begs to differ.” Soap offered Ghost a hand up, and he gladly took it. He straightened his uniform and smirked. “You're surprisingly heavy for someone so short.”

“Away and bile yer heid!” Soap cried, slapping Ghost on the arm.

“That's fine though. Means I can be rougher with you when I finally get you into my bed.”

Soap froze. His brain went blank. His expression must've been funny because Ghost took one look and started laughing. “I have to go, but I wanted you to have my number. I work this weekend, but perhaps you can take me out next weekend? Let me know.” Ghost slid a piece of paper into the pocket of Soap's gym shorts with a wink. “Text me.”

Soap watched Ghost leave, then ran to his bedroom. He took the quickest shower of his life, then pulled out the piece of paper, carefully unfolding it.

Soap-

Stop pouting. My number is XXX-XXX-XXXX. I prefer text. My replies might take a while if I'm on duty.

-Simon “Ghost” Riley.

Soap snorted at the note, input the contact into his phone with a little ghost emoji, and shot out a text.

Me: Do ye like flowers?

Soap watched as three dots came up, then vanished, then sprang up again.

Ghost: Hello to you too. I don't like cut flowers. Prefer to grow them. My mom has a garden full of beautiful flowers. It's one of my favorite places to go calm my head after a rough shift.

Me: That happen often?

Ghost: Thankfully no.

Ghost: Roach says hi.

Ghost: He also says I owe you a coffee mug?

Soap rolled his eyes.

Me: Gaz was teasin' me about 'behaving.' I snapped the handle of a mug.

Me: Hi Roach. Owe ye one.

Ghost: Ah .

Ghost: Do you want me to buy you a new mug?

Me: Nah. Don't worry about it. Gaz bought me one already.

Me: So... Date?

Soap stared at his phone, waiting for the three little dots to pop back up. When they finally did, Soap was disappointed.

Ghost: Sorry, we're getting dispatched again. Talk soon. ;)

Me: Stay safe, Ghost.

Soap set his phone down, laid down, and finally slept.

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. :)

Chapter Text

Soap was pulled into a mission briefing right after breakfast. He and Gaz were to ship out that afternoon. Gaz noticed the pout.

“Mission interrupt some plans?” Gaz gently teased as they wandered toward the armory.

“Aye. We were gonna take Ghost's wee nephew out for ice cream.” Soap sighed. He pulled out his phone and shot Ghost a text.

Me: Rain check on the date, and the ice cream date with Jo. We're being shipped out this afternoon. Mission's supposed to last a month. I'm sorry.

He tucked his phone back in his pocket and focused on kitting up for the mission. On their way out of the armory, he and Gaz were both tackled by two very tall men.

“Roach?”

“Ghost?”

The men pulled away, and the officers grabbed their respective sergeant, going in opposite directions. Ghost stopped and cradled Soap's face in his hands. “You come back to me. I told Jo someone else likes mint chocolate chip, and he got so damn happy. You're not gonna make him sad by dying out there. Copy?”

Soap grinned and nuzzled into Ghost's hands. “Aye, copy. Tell the lad when I come back, we'll each get two scoops!”

Ghost snorted and dropped his head onto Soap's shoulder. “Menace.” He straightened and pulled back. “Will you have your phone?”

Soap's grin slid off his face. “'Fraid not. Not allowed phones on missions like these.”

“Shit. Well, I'll text you anyway, that way you have something to look forward to.”

“That sounds nice. Just don't miss me too much,” Soap leaned into Ghost's hands a little more. “Sorry fer ruinin' our half-plan.”

Ghost gave him a sad smile. “You didn't. As you said yesterday: 'duty calls.' Just be sure to come home--I owe you dinner.”

“I'll hold ye to that.” Soap glanced around Ghost at Roach and Gaz who were in a very similar position. “So... They gonna start dating too?”

“Roach was waiting for Gaz to make a move.”

Soap rolled his eyes. “Gaz was waiting on Roach.”

“Ugh. And they both were trying to be wing men for us. Well, looks like we might double date at some point.”

“Hell yeah!” Soap hugged Ghost one more time before breaking away. “I gotta finish packing, and I gotta make sure Gaz does the same. We'll talk more when—oi! You muppets are in public!” Soap had stepped around Ghost only to stare straight at Roach and Gaz who were making out against the wall of the armory.

Ghost face-palmed beside him. “Bug, take him on a fuckin' date first, you slag.”

Roach continued peppering Gaz' face with kisses as he flipped off Ghost. Gaz tilted his head back and laughed, resulting in Roach happily indulging upon the freshly shown skin. Eventually Ghost had to go and literally pick Roach up, resulting in the man squirming and pouting. Gaz blew him a kiss, grabbed Soap, and the two went to go finish packing for their op.

“You moved quickly,” Soap teased.

“Might've been my only chance,” Gaz said dreamily. Soap laughed and shook his head. “Fuck, man. You've got it bad.”

Gaz gave him a gentle shove. “You're no better.”

And it was true.

Chapter Text

Soap was gonna kill whomever gave them the intel.

Price was hoarsely barking orders, fingers twitching on his rifle at every sound. Gaz was limping along next to him, face bleeding from a graze some stray shrapnel gave him, and wincing with each step. A couple of recruits staggered next to them, shell-shocked, bloody, yet determined under Price's firm leadership. And Soap?

Soap was bringing up the rear, panting hard, and trying to ignore the wetness he could feel pooling beneath his tac vest. He knows he got hurt. He knows it was an in and out shot. He knows he should stop and stitch it up, but the enemies have not been giving them enough time. Gaz had packed the wound when he got it, but he's since bled through the gauze, and worked through the stim shot.

He was crashing. Hard.

Gaz kept looking back at him, worry clear on his face. Price would occasionally look back to make sure Soap hadn't keeled over before continuing on.

Good man, John Price. Always trying to get his men out alive.

They were trekking to a far off extraction point. The first was compromised by hostiles, the second was compromised by poorly-hidden landmines the enemies had put down in the clearing. Soap shuddered as he remembered grabbing both Price and Gaz by their bitch straps and yanking them away from their almost-demise. “Don't wanna turn Roach into a widow before he gets a chance,” Soap had joked. Gaz had shuddered and hugged Soap a little too tight before they moved on.

“Almost there, lads,” Price called back. “Soap, give me a sit-rep.”

“Aye, sir,” Soap slurred. He was long past the point of being able to hold up his rifle and it hung loosely around his shoulders. “Stim wore off.”

Price turned back toward Soap, assessing before calling over two of the recruits. “Help Sergeant MacTavish—one on either side.” He gave Soap a look. “Don't fight me on this, son.” Soap merely grumbled, and let himself be helped.

The recruits were practically dragging Soap by the time they reached extraction. Nik was thankfully waiting with his heli. Price spared a moment to give his husband a quick kiss before hauling Soap inside and onto the floor of the heli, tearing off the tac vest as the heli took off. He mumbled a couple of gruff swears before yanking the med kit from under the seat. “Stay awake, muppet, or I'm not letting you off the base for an entire month.”

“Just think of ice cream, Tav,” Gaz called from his seat.

“Why ice cream?” Price growled as he packed more gauze into Soap's side. Soap squirmed and whined with the pressure.

“They were gonna take Ghost's nephew on an ice cream date,” Gaz replied softly.

Price gave Soap a cheeky grin. “Sure you're up for that, muppet? Children are brutally honest.”

“Och, I've got five of the wee bairns back at home. I know what I'm in fer,” Soap slurred. “The lad likes mint chocolate chip ice cream. He's a stellar example if I have anything to say about it.”

Price screwed up his nose. “Why would you like to eat toothpaste?”

Soap weakly slapped Price's tac vest. “Uncultured swine.”

“Insubordinate shit,” Price chuckled, but grabbed Soap's hand before it could fall and held it the entire way back to base.

Medical teams met them on the tarmac, bullying their way into the helo and pulling Soap onto a stretcher before carting him away. Soap rolled his head to the side as they traveled toward the sterile building and his eyes caught on a head of curly, blond hair, and wide, fear-filled eyes staring straight at him.

Simon.

Soap let out a painful sigh and closed his eyes. He wished he hadn't seen that.

Chapter Text

Ghost was frozen.

He and Roach had been called onto base for some mundane shit that hadn't actually required their attention. They were on their way back to their vehicle when the helo came down. Medical teams swarmed the helo as the blades slowed and stilled, allowing shouted orders to be heard from where they were standing.

And then Johnny was pulled from it, pale, bloody, and unmoving.

His vest was gone, revealing a giant patch of red against his left side. His eyes were open, and as the stretcher moved, his head rolled allowing Soap to lock eyes with Ghost. Dull blues met fearful browns before pale lids shut and severed the connection. The medical team finally made their way to their building and steel doors completely hid Soap from his sight. He stared at the medical building for a long time.

His view was slowly, carefully obstructed by the lumbering form of Captain Price. Ghost broke his stare to glance down at the Captain. He looked tired, and his hands and pants were bloody. Ghost frowned. “Bad?”

Price sighed. “Bad intel. They knew we were coming, and had a trap ready for us. Soap managed to save our asses by setting up a quick bomb as a diversion. Lost a few men in the initial scuffle, but the rest of us have your boy to thank for our lives.” He glanced to the side, and Ghost followed his stare. Roach was wrapped all the way around Gaz as Gaz sobbed into his shoulder. “Soap'll get through this,” Price whispered. “He's a tough kid, and I heard he has an ice-cream date to get to.” He went to scratch at his beard before remembering his bloody hands, and he dropped them back down to his sides. “I need to get Gaz to medical, but I wanted to let him have a moment first.” Pale blue eyes suddenly pierced Ghost to the ground. “Hurt Soap and they'll never stop finding your body. Copy?”

Ghost swallowed harshly. “Copy.”

Price nodded, and the petrifying gaze left Ghost. Price shifted. “I'm gonna threaten Roach the same way. Both of my sergeants are like sons to me.”

Ghost let out a weak, nervous chuckle. “Seems a little weird threatening your base's police officers.”

Price gave a humorless snort. “Never much liked authority, but I don't mind you two.” He glanced back at Ghost. “Soap's gonna need medical leave.”

“He mentioned he went home last time.”

“Did he go to his parents or to his apartment?”

“I'm... not sure?”

“He's gonna need help. That bullet pierced his torso, so he's going to be bed-bound for a while, then need help walking afterwards so he doesn't damage anything. I know the stubborn Scottish muppet will try to power through it and make everything worse. See if you can convince him a little help is nice every now and then, would you? I'll make sure the medics know you're authorized to be in his room. Might even contact your CO with a request to 'guard' the muppet. We'll see.” With that, Price lumbered away, stopping briefly at Roach and Gaz, pinning Roach in place with a simple glare, simple words, then walking off with a complaining Gaz in tow.

Roach crept up to Ghost. “That is a frightening man.”

“He's Captain for a reason,” Ghost sighed. “Let's get back to HQ.”

Chapter Text

Soap woke up cold, yet warm. Uncomfortable, yet comfortable. Floating, yet tethered. He existed in this weird state until something to his right shifted, and his hand pulled with it. Ah. His hand was warm because it was being held. The hand holding his was providing him comfort and was his tether. Got it. He cracked his eyes open.

Or tried. Bright, white lights assaulted his vision and he slammed them shut again with a groan. The hand in his gave a tight squeeze.

“You gave us a good scare, Johnny,” a warm voice rumbled.

“S'mon,” Soap rasped and a straw touched his lips seconds later.

“Sip, luv. I've got you.” Soap dutifully took a few sips, and pouted when the straw was removed. “Not too much,” Ghost's voice floated to him. “The nurse said to ease you back into fluids. The gunshot wound was... not kind.”

“V'had worse,” Soap slurred, cracking open an eye to stare at Ghost. Ghost was staring back, unimpressed. Now that Soap had visuals on the officer, Ghost deemed it necessary to remove his hand from Soap's reach and stand up. Soap would deny the pitiful whine and the grabby motion he made until his last breath.

“Calm down, I'm just shutting off the lights.” True to his word, the offending lights were dimmed and Ghost's hand was back in his. Soap squeezed it as tightly as he dared, forcing a chuckle from Ghost. “Clingy. Perhaps getting you to come home with me won't be as difficult as I thought.”

“Home with you?” Soap echoed, finally fully opening both eyes.

Ghost sighed and settled back into his chair. “Aye. You're going on med leave. Your Captain wants you close by. I offered to house you, if you were willing. You can meet mum and have her make bangers and mash.”

Soap's brain short-circuited. “Aren't—aren't we missing a few steps?” He finally managed to squeak.

Ghost shrugged. “If Roach can be a slag in the middle of the military base, I can skip the first date and go straight into domestic bliss.” He tilted his head and gave Soap a lopsided grin. “What do you say?”

What do you say? What does one say to that? Soap was a soldier first, and always has been. Domestic bliss? The thought never crossed his mind and every insecurity bubbled out before he could stop his morphine-drugged lips from speaking.

“I'm gone a lot for missions.”

Ghost kept his grin. “Fully aware, but I'm always going to wait for you.”

“I might have nightmares when we're in bed together.”

“I'll wake you up and hold you through them.”

“I might get violent.”

“Oh, I know how to handle you, sweet'eart.” The heart monitor beeped wildly, drawing a laugh from Ghost as Soap blushed a deep pink. “Oh, you like that one?”

Soap loved it, but couldn't tell Ghost as one final issue was pressing against his teeth, choking him until it spilled past his lips.

“I might never come home again.”

Ghost's grin finally slipped off his face. He sighed and began playing with the hand he held. “I know. So let's skip a few steps. Come home with me and let's test this shit out. If we survive your medical leave, we can survive everything.” The grin came back, and Soap's heart leapt with it, if the heart monitor was any indication.

“You want me to come home with you?”

“Aye.”

“You're serious?”

Ghost rolled his eyes and stood for a brief moment before climbing into the bed next to Soap. “Aye. I'm serious. Don't think too hard. We'll talk more when you're less drugged. Sleep, sweet'eart.”

Soap glared at the traitorous heart monitor as Ghost beamed, victorious.

Chapter Text

“Joseph Riley, come down here this instant!”

“Johnny! You better get 'im down safely!”

Soap snickered and held Joseph tighter to his chest. “What do ye say, wee bairn? We go down and face the fire?”

“We're out of ice cream anyway,” Joseph sighed.

“Alright,” Soap sighed and grabbed onto the nearest branch. “Hold on then.” Soap deftly climbed down the tree in front of the Riley property with Joseph clinging to his front. He set Joseph down on the ground and watched as he was snatched up by Beth. Soap himself was snatched backwards and towards Ghost's house. “Oof. Am I grounded, Si?”

“Saving you from my sister,” Ghost grumbled. “She hates it when Jo climbs trees.”

“It's such a good tree though!” Soap pouted, and resigned himself to being dragged backwards.

Ghost finally pulled them both through the front door, then spun Soap around to give him a rough kiss. The kiss only lasted for a few seconds before Ghost pulled away, offended. “You had ice cream without me!”

Soap grinned. “Warned ye that if ye went to the pub with them, Jo and I were gonna have ice cream.”

Ghost groaned and thudded his head on Soap's shoulder. “Now I want ice cream.”

“We bought some for ye. It's in the freezer.” Ghost dashed away toward the freezer, causing Soap to laugh loudly until Ghost triumphantly returned with his prize. He leaned down to give Soap another kiss. “Thank you, luv.”

“You're welcome. Did you have a good time?”

Ghost shoved a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth and tilted his head as he thought. He eventually nodded. “Yeah. More fun than I thought I would have. Mum is surprisingly good at darts.”

“She put your arse to shame, Si?”

“Excuse you, my arse is exquisite.” Ghost haughtily replied, then deflated over his ice cream. “Yeah. By a lot.” He perked up. “But all of us beat Tommy, so there's that.”

Soap snorted and wandered further into the house, eventually flopping onto the couch. Ghost followed and Soap pulled up his feet to accommodate the man in his own home. Soap'd been on med leave for nine weeks, and was due to return to base in three days. He was making the most of his time off. He'd met the whole family while in the hospital, Joseph hiding behind his parents. Mrs. Riley promised Price that Soap would be dutifully taken care of, even while Ghost was off at work.

Elizabeth Riley was a hoot. She had made Ghost's favorite dish the day Ghost brought Soap home, and had doted on Soap since, bringing over meals while Ghost was off at work, and keeping him company. Those first few days came with photo albums of baby Simon, and hoo boy, Soap had fun with that.

Joseph would sometimes come with her and ask when he would be okay enough to have ice cream. Ghost finally brought home three bowls of ice cream after work: Two mint chocolate chip, and one butter pecan. He had also snagged Joseph on his way home and they all had ice cream before dinner. All three of them had grinned through Beth's subsequent lecture.

Beth would come home during lunch and come sit and chat with Soap so he wouldn't get bored. Tommy was more reserved and would only come with his mother or his wife, unsure of the strange Scot in his brother's home.

“He warned me, ya know,” Ghost had said one night. “If you hurt me, I was to go straight to him and tell him. He'd immediately come over and kick your ass.” Ghost scratched at his nose. “I may or may not have laughed in his face.”

Soap had laughed then, and pat Ghost's thigh. “My love, if I hurt you, it'd be an accident, but you can send him over anyway. I'm sure I could stand to be knocked down a few pegs.”

Ghost leaned forward and nuzzled into Soap's collarbone. “I don't like seeing you hurt.”

Soap grunted and shifted so he could wrap his arms around his lover. “A necessary evil, my love.”

“Makes me want to join the military properly so I can guard your six,” Ghost huffed, leaving the bed to go start his bedtime ritual.

“Why didn't you?”

Ghost paused halfway through taking off his shirt. He eventually resumed the motions and huffed. “Got saved by police when they arrested my sperm donor. Got saved by them again when they found Tommy in an alley, tweaked out to high heaven and brought him to me instead of arresting him. Then I met Bug in a bar—cute little twink that caught my eye—and he mentioned he was training to be a military police officer, and that was that. I have my family, safe and sound, because of the police.”

Soap had screwed up his face. “You dated Roach?”

“Thought about it,” Ghost shrugged out of his shirt. “We decided we were better friends, and look where that got us.” He waggled his eyebrows at Soap, and Soap grinned back.

“What's he like in bed?” Soap leered, and got Ghost's shirt thrown in his face for it.

Soap left the couch and made his way to Ghost's bedroom, wanting to make sure he had all his things organized for heading back to base. Ghost swept him up and threw him onto the bed, caging him in.

“Oi!”

“So, I was thinking,” Ghost murmured. His breath coasted along Soap's nape, eliciting a shiver. “We never got our first date.”

“Who's fault is that, Mr. Let's-Skip-A-Few-Steps?”

Ghost chuckled and pulled Soap in closer. “True, true. However, I still owe you a dinner. Someplace quiet, I'm told?”

“You fucker. You have a reservation someplace already, don't you?”

“Shall we shower and get ready?” Ghost giggled as he gave Soap a playful swat on the ass.

“Fine, but no funny business. I'm too full of ice cream.”

Ghost sat up, horrified. “How many scoops did you and Jo get?”

“Secrets, secrets,” Soap giggled and ran into the bathroom, Ghost hot on his heels.

Ghost drove them to a brick-front Italian restaurant. He marched them right up to the maitre'd and with a simple murmur of “Ghost” got them escorted back into a private room. Once the door was open, Soap was pushing past Ghost and running in.

Price, Nik, Gaz, and Roach were all waiting inside, Gaz off to the side and grinning like he knew something. Soap immediately tackled Gaz to the ground, nuzzling into his collarbone before recoiling in horror. He pointed an accusatory finger at Roach, “Destruction of government property!”

Gaz laughed long and loud before saying, “Yeah, yeah, he'll only get in trouble for it when Nik does.”

Nik straightened and beamed with pride as Price blushed bright red and tried to hide under his boonie. “Alright, muppets. Can we sit down and order something now?”

“Hi, Cap!” Soap chirped from atop Gaz.

“Hi, muppet. Come pick out what you want to order.”

“Si knows what I like,” Soap replied flippantly and returned to hugging his best friend.

“And you wonder why I call them muppets,” Price grumbled toward the two officers.

“Mushroom ravioli with a mushroom pesto...” Ghost murmured, and Soap was off Gaz in seconds. He angrily leaned over Ghost's shoulder. “You fucker, I bet that's not even on the menu.”

“It's not,” Ghost grinned, and pulled Soap into a chair between him and Price. Gaz gracefully sat across from him, between Roach and Nik. The waiter came in to take their orders. Once the door closed behind him, Roach pounced.

“You don't like mushrooms?”

“I'd rather not eat dirt,” Soap replied.

“Says the man who willingly eats toothpaste instead of ice cream,” Price called out.

“Thank you!” Ghost happily agreed, and Soap was frozen in place, debating on which blasphemer to tackle.

Gaz kicked him underneath the table. “Hey, guess who Ghost removed from base yesterday?”

Soap happily kicked Gaz back. “Who?”

“Shadow.”

Soap paused his kicking to incredulously stare at Ghost. “No fucking way.”

Ghost gave a tight-lipped nod. “Way.”

Soap turned back to Gaz and resumed his kicking, throwing one out at Price's boot, causing the man to jump. “What'd he do?”

“Impersonated a superior officer,” came the snicker. “He was calling himself Shadow for a reason. Fucker didn't want to be found by the officer he was pretending to be.”

“All it did was draw more attention to him,” Price sighed. “Captain Hammer is fucking pissed.”

Soap blinked. “Captain Hammer? He impersonated Captain Hammerhead?”

“The very one.”

“Like, the shark?” Roach questioned.

Price snorted. “He fucking wishes. He used his helmet instead of a hammer to fix a nail during basic.”

Ghost shook his head. “Sounds like something Johnny would do,”

“Excuse you, I'd simply use Semtex.”

“I don't know what that is,”

“Explosives,” Gaz grinned at Soap, managing to finally kick Soap in the shin. Soap rallied and both Sergeants escalated their game of footsie.

“Muppets,” Price eventually barked. “One calm dinner, please.”

“Yes, sir,” they called back, and happily tangled their feet together instead. Soap leaned over and rest his head on Ghost's shoulder. “This is nice.”

“Thank Nik,” Price sighed as he sipped on some wine. “It was his idea.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Yeah, thanks Dad!” Gaz chirped.

Nik looked over at Price, watching as he bristled. He swiftly laid a hand on Price's shoulder, causing the man to settle back in his seat. He then removed the delicate wine glass from his husband's hand, before grabbing Price's hand in his own. “My love, our sons have grown up and gotten us more sons!”

Nik was laughing from the floor, nursing a growing bruise on his chin when the waiters returned with their meals.