Work Text:
Christmas really something he ever made a big deal out of before the 141. It wasn't that his family didn't make a big celebration about it, they actually made a huge thing out of it, and that was the problem. You see, it's like a candle that burns so bright it burns itself out to quickly, and that's what happened.
But when Soap joined the 141, they just did a small dinner that usually Price and Rudy cooked, like a simple yet delicious roast, some vegi's like green beans and corn, and mashed potatoes and or stuffing. There were a couple of games like uno, blackjack, dart throwing, who can get Ghost to laugh, and monopoly except whenever it was monopoly it seemed to be the only game they played. They always drank some, not enough to really do anything other than let loose, but beer, whiskey, scotch, and Alejandros suspicious drink that he would never tell anyone the recipe to but tasted heavenly perfect to everyone except Ghost. It's not that it was a definite that Ghost didn't like it, it's just that when he tried it he only mumbled and no one ever caught him drinking it again.
It was perfect, so calm and easy compared to the feast fit for a thousands God's, having everything from lamb to fish all seasoned differently, carrots, peas, at least five different types of salad and those disgusting beet things that come in a can and reek of death, they even kept three different types of milk to cater to everyone they invited, most of which were strangers or such distant family Soap wasn't sure whether they could even count as related anymore. Then came the games, so many fucking games, bean bag tossing, cricket, life, sorry, and so many more that were just for children, then the adult ones like poker, some domino game Soap could never remember the name to, and a drinking game that didn't actually use alcohol. That was really close to the worst of it, he had to go through it all sober, because no one wanted there to be alcohol with so many small children around, it all felt like getting stitched up on a very painful wound with nothing to numb it other than his own saliva. Lastly, the actual worst of it, was the gift giving. His family spent so much money on gifts, gifts ranging in size from as small as a ring box to the size of a of the biggest box TV you can think of which wouldn't be to bad if it wasn't for the amount of gifts they bought. They had to keep a seperate room empty all year so they could start getting gifts, and by the time they were done the room would be full, sometimes spilling into a different room. It was all so much, so much gifts, so much money spent that they didn't even have, so much money that they would be in debt for the rest of the year, barely make it by the end, and do it all over again year after year.
Gaz on the other hand really liked Christmas, the whole party and socializing, and since he begged an entire month in advance to Price with the best puppy eyes he could give, which really wasn't that good but Price was to much of a sucker to say no, for some kind of gift giving, they put a little more effort into this year, which was fine because Soap had had enough of a rest from the whole gift giving to enjoy it. So in an almost unanimous vote, they decided on secret Santa, and I say almost unanimous because Ghost only grunted and shrugged of course but they took that as a yes.
So, around the 15th, names were put in a hat.
"Alright, hat is on the table, no one look and one by one we will pick a name, if you pick your own name, put it back," Price started, "But rules first, since Gaz was very particular about this. No gifts over twenty, no gifts under five, and no saying who you got."
"Sounds good," Soap chuckled, already a drink in.
"Yep," Gaz agreed.
Alejandro and Rudy had only gotten back from Las Almas a day ago, and we're rather quite happy that they would have then to Christmas off since they missed both Halloween and Thanksgiving, not that they really liked to celebrate holidays but just the getting together was wwlhat made them nice.
Ghost was only there because he had to be, if not for Price he would have spiked an entire carton of eggnog and gone to sit in his room to enjoy the company of himself and do non Christmas-y things like not watching romantic Christmas movies and definitely not singing Christmas songs to his very non-existent miniature Christmas tree strung with beautiful lights and ornaments, and at the very top a paper snowflake Soap had made that was a copy of Ghosts mask duplicated three times. But of course that was not was he was doing, because he didn't enjoy Christmas and for all Soap knows, Ghost burned that snowflake in a fire big enough to cover at least Kentucky and fueled with enough hate to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki all over again.
"Okay, Gaz, since you were the one who suggested this, you can go first. Everyone else, face the wall," Price said, walking over to stand beside Soap who sat comfortably in a chair and Rudy who sat comfortably in Alejandros lap in a chair.
"Done," Gaz smiled, walking back to them, "Price, you wanna go next?"
"Sure," Price groaned, switching placed with Gaz.
After a bit of ruffling, Price walked back and patted Soaps shoulder.
"Alright," He chuckled as he stood.
Soap walked up to the hat, a black top hat that Gaz had gotten for Price as a joke after a game of monopoly where Price absolutely destroyed everyone and Gaz labeled him monopoly man, to be precise. He sighed, digging his hands in and ruffling up the papers before grabbing one. It was crumpled but with the one letter he could see it was quite obvious who he got due to the very neat handwriting that was engraved into the paper so hard It broke some holes.
Ghost, of course he had to get Ghost.
"Alejandro, Rudy, one of you can go," Soap returned to his chair, a deceiving smile on his face.
This was gonna be hard. Ever since he met Ghost there was something different, and when Ghost helped him after Graves betrayal, he knew what. Soap had always been attracted to men, it's all he ever dated, he still found women attractive but it wasn't quite the same as men. So, when he really started to feel something for Ghost, he wasn't suprised, it was just the fact that Ghost was his supirior and Soap had no evidence that Ghost was attracted to anybody really. Maybe he was just an asexual, or an alien...
But he had to find something for Ghost, so maybe he could find a way to confess how he felt without the fear of being let down. Get something for Ghost that one could take as an expression of love and see how he reacts. If Ghost reacts positively, maybe Soap can confess in words and hopefully it will turn out good and maybe they can go on a date to try it. If Ghost reacts badly, Soap can say it was a joke because that's what usually happens with Secret Santa.
But what could he get him?
"Hey, Soap," Gaz called to him, just as Soap was about to enter the barracks for the night.
"Yeah?" He asked, a little tipsy.
"I know who got you," Gaz teased.
"Thought it was against the rules,"
"Yeah but no one ever actually listens to the rules, Soap," Gaz huffed, "Anyway, do you wanna know?"
"Do I?" Soap asked hesitantly, shutting the door for the barracks because this conversation seemed to be getting to long to keep it open.
"I think you do, because I also know who you got."
"How?"
"Its easy, actually, with how long you hesitated after grabbing the paper, had to be Ghost-"
"No," Soap argued, the lie something even a baby could see through.
"Come on, you told me you had a crush on him, plus it's the only option left after you figure out who everyone else has," Gaz laughed.
There really was no point in arguing. Why did Soap tell Gaz about his crush, even he will never know, but now all that mattered was that he expressed himself before he imploded.
"Yeah, okay... Im just trying to think of something I can get him to-to confess without confessing you know, play it safe," Soap rambled, fiddling with his fingers.
Gaz smiled, tilting his head slightly, "Well maybe it is the right time. Ghost got you."
"Ghost has me?"
"Yep," Gaz said, "I got Rudy, Rudy gave that small cute smile I've only ever seen him make at Alejandro so he got Alejandro, Alejandro gave no reaction meaning he got Price, and Price rolled his eyes in a way that said, yeah that makes sense, so he got me, meaning all that was left was you and Ghost."
"Fuck, really? It was that easy?" Soap asked, genuinely impressed.
"I wanted to be a detective when I was a kid so I got really good at deduction." Gaz shrugged, "Anyway, I just thought you would wanna know but imma go drink a bit more, so goodnight."
"Night." Soap waved, relieved to finally be able to lay down.
Lay down yes, sleep no. Soap couldn't stop thinking about what he could get Ghost. Something sweet yet with the ability to be a joke or maybe even just having a cover story.
Ghost really liked his knives, big knives, small knives, any knives really as long as they could do damage, but any friend could get someone a knife. A dog? He loved German Shepards... No, Price would kill him. A flower maybe, flowers can symbolize many things and if he picks carefully it may work. It's unlikely Ghost knows anything about flowers, but then again flowers die really quickly.
Actually a flower may be a good idea, he can get a flower plant, one that comes back every year. If Ghost takes care of it, maybe that means he has a chance, if Ghost let's it die, then he knows. Flowers may be romantic but Ghost has been pretty bored so he can just say he thought it might be a good hobby for him. But what flower?
Soap pulled out his phone, laying in the dark, still empty barrack since it was still rather early for people to sleep but the sun had already set. He searched 'perennial flowers symbolizing love'. He found a website and scrolled, it came up with roses, to basic, hot lips, definitely not, and he scrolled until he came up to one, Bleeding Hearts.
They looked kinda cool, and it would be very easy to just wipe it off as a joke too. He put his phone down, a small grin stretched on his face, and his heart feeling warm with both excitement and worry.
A few days later and he had to get a plant, a start maybe. Not many places around the base sold flowers, much less starts, and even much less in the winter. But lucky lucky him, there was a farm that sold vegetables and fruits and some flowers year round in greenhouses only about an hour out form the base. So Soap went, while everyone else was out buying gifts. It even sent a small shiver of happiness through Soap when Ghost went out too, but there also happened to be a small part of him that thought Ghost was just using the whole buying gifts thing to go out and get a decent drink at a bar alone since someone always went with him whenever else he went.
The farm looked rather nice, rather homey. A somewhat medium sized house, two story with the second story just being the attic, white paint that had been weathered throughout the years but was still rather well kept, a big porch with a handmade porch swing and what looked to be hand quilted cushions and pillows laid nicely upon it. The driveway and walkway up to the house had been plowed, and snow was kept off the porch, not allowed to melt and mold the wood.
Just like something seen in a painting there was a giant red barn off to the side of the field with white trims, snow covering it'd roof and any parts of the building that stuck out. Fences spread out over whga could be seen of the property, but finally Soaps eyes landed on the green houses placed on the left side of the house, they were decently sized and just from what Soap could see there were at least three.
"Hey, are you the one who called?" A woman asked, coming from around the corner of the house.
She must have been working because the winter overalls and he ay duty gloves she wore were drenched.
"Uh-yes," Soap nodded, coming up to the lady just as she reached the steps of the porch.
"Well I only got one of those and it's to small for taking clippings, but it hasn't been doing so well so I'll make you a deal," she said as she started making her way to the green houses, speaking a bit to quick for Soap to get any words in, "You're actually lucky 'cause I don't usually keep anything other than the basics like roses and shit, but my daughter wanted it before she left for college and jus' never took it."
"Ah," Soap sighed, waiting for her to get on with taking while she unlocked one of the green house buildings.
"Well yeah it ain't doing to good for it's first year," she grabbed a small plant out from behind a few bigger ones, it looked just downright sad, "But I'll give it to ya for free, I jus' hope it will get cared for."
She handed it to Soap, some dirt falling out and dusting his hands, "I'm giving it to someone," Soap smiled, following the woman out of the greenhouse and over to the porch where she took a seat and grabbed out a smoke.
"Ah, so who's the lucky woman? Must be real lucky gettin' a handsome and kind man like ya self," She asked, taking a good puff of the cigarette.
"He, he is someone who saved me a good while back and I just-em-wanted to confess without words," Soap chuckled awkwardly, gently petting the droopy leaves of the plant.
"Well then, he, is a very lucky man and I hope he takes you." She nodded, giving a half wave that probably meant she wanted Soap to leave.
Soap did not catch on to this.
"You know, I'm just kinda scared," Soap sighed, and the woman did too, "I really like him, he makes me happy but at the same time I get really anxious, I get scared sick sometimes because part of me doubts he likes me back, and I hate that feeling."
The woman scooted over a bit, patting the steps, "Come sit," she groaned.
Soap did, leg bouncing a small bit, "What am I supposed to do if he doesn't like me back? How am I supposed to see him at work after that, much less talk to him."
"Listen here, hun," She said in a soft tone, "When my daughter had her first crush, she got so worried that he wouldn't like her back that she subconsciously sabotaged the whole thing. I knew that little boy liked her too because I was friends with his momma, but my little girl got so worried that when he got the courage to do something, she thought it was a cruel joke and hit him. After that he di'nt like her no more."
"Oh-okay,"
"You do see what I'm saying? Right?" She asked.
"Maybe,"
She nudged him on the shoulder, "Don't worry 'bout it, alright," She laughed dryly, "Why are you getting this for him anyway?"
"Our team is doing a secret Santa, I got him but apparently he also got me," Soap sighed, staring at the sad plant.
"Ah, so that's why you' re freaking out. Well don't worry a'right, I bet he feels the same way and is currently stressin' 'bout what to get you." She patted Soaps back, before standing and heading for the door, "I got to get on with stuff, you can stay but dont get me wrong you're a nice boy I just am socialized out for the day."
"Oh sorry ma'am," Soap waved, getting up, "I'll get going."
She smiled before just heading inside, leaving Soap to go back to his truck.
Luckily for Soap, his assigned bed in the barracks was right next to the window, and ever since the whole drawing book incident which then led to the first death on base in fifteen years, no one touched his shit.
So he placed the plant on the window seal and gave it some water, hoping he could bring up it's health a bit before giving it to Ghost. That would be kinda hard since it was winter and not very warm in the barracks, but a small vent sat close to the window so Soap hoped it would be okay, although he mostly hoped no one would ask about the new member in the barracks.
But over the next few days it seemed to get better, the leaves drooped less and some new leaves began to sprout along with the first flower bud, which came when Soap awoke on Christmas morning, like some god, aka mwah, planned it.
Christmas mornings there were always calm, Price and Rudy began preparing some things for dinner, Ghost was usually no where to be found unless he was coming out for a cup of definitely not hot chocolate with little marshmallows, Alejandro and Gaz slept in until noon or after, and Soap enjoyed a light workout or just watching the snow fall outside.
Which he always started with a nice workout, something to wake him up, get his body going. But he wasn't alone. Never once, not in the three Christmases Soap had had there, had Ghost ever been found in the morning, but here he was in the gym. Which had this been any other Christmas, when Soap wasn't planning on confessing his love, this would have been fine.
"Seargent," Ghost greeted, noticing Soap.
"Lt," Soap greeted back, making his way to the cheap treadmill they kept at the indoor gym along with weights and a few other equipment.
He just had to be calm, if Ghost likes him back, then great, and if not, hopefully Ghost doesn't see through the flower. What did Ghost get him? Maybe Ghost got him a necklace or ring, he wasn't big on jewelry but if it meant Ghost liked him back Soap would be estatic to take it. Maybe he got Soap a flower too, that would be funny and make for a great wedding story. But all Soap had to do now was not be awkward-
"Whatchu lookin at?" Ghost asked, snapping Soap out of his thoughts.
He hadn't even realized he was staring at Ghost, but now Ghost was staring at him back, "I-uh-nothing, just thinking," He answered, swiftly moving his eyes to look at the weights in front of him.
"Alright," Ghost grunted, returning to his thing.
He couldn't work out with Ghost here, what was he thinking, "I-Um-I'm gonna go shower, already ran some outside," Soap lied, turning for the door.
"Wait." Ghost stopped him, "M'showers broken, I'll follow you."
Soaps heart skipped a beat, this was not gonna be easy.
Ghost had Soap wait outside his bedroom while he grabbed some stuff and Ghost waited outside the barracks while Sopa freaked out and grabbed some stuff. Then he closely followed behind Soap, towering over him as they walked until they finally reached the shower room.
It had five shower stalls, seperated by a simple wall in between each of them, and only a shower curtain for privacy and the way in. There were some benches and lockers, along with a few toilets around a corner.
Soap put his clean clothes on the bench, and hung his towel on the rack on the thin wall that seperated the showers. Ghost did the same, but he kept the mask on until he got in the shower and closed the curtain, then he hung it with his towel. It was a bit weird and for a second Soap thought Ghost was just gonna shower with it on. He had seen Ghost without his mask a couple of times now, but then again the mask was a good way of getting all the rookies to fear him and it would be quite awkward if one walked in while Ghost was showering.
Soap got in and turned on the water, glad Ghost took a stall a couple away from his so Ghost couldn't hear just how heavy his breathing was getting. Soap was nervous, anxious, whatever you wanna call it but his heart raced and he couldn't stand still. He needed motion, so instead of doing his normal relaxing and letting the hot water run down him, he turned it to cold and washed himself quickly.
When he got out, like bad luck was favoring him, so did Ghost. Even though it was common sense, Soap was glad Ghost had put the towel around his waist before walking out of the shower stall, because if Ghost had walked out naked, Soap would have died right then and there. It was still bad with the towel though, Ghosts muscles were fantastic, carved like a Greek statue and his prominent V line leading down into the unknown felt like a cruel tease. Soap watched as Ghost walked, how every muscle stretched and every scar with it, how he looked heavenly with water still dripping down his figure. He had put on his mask too, and despite the obvious fact that it must have been very uncomfortable especially since it was impossible to know when the last time Ghost had washed it was, the mask just added to the look, Soap found it... Hot.
"Eyes, Sargeant," Ghost gave a small growl, "Not telling stories for the scars."
Thank God Ghost gave that out, "Yea-yeah, just never seen all them.". Now Soap realized that his mouth had opened and drool began to pool in the corner of his mouth all while very obviously staring.
"There's a reason for that, Johnny," Ghost said, his deep manchester accent making it rather hard to tell what tone he had said it in.
Ghost grabbed his stuff, not bothering to get dressed, and left. Soap watched, and both pitied and envied anyone who saw Ghost as he probably went to his room.
"Fuck," Soap whispered to himself, only now realizing just how tense Ghost had him.
That man had Soap wrapped around his finger and he didn't even know it. He could ask Soap to die for him, hell Soap would even kill a baby for Ghost. Not that Soap really liked babies in the first place, but it was the principle that mattered, actually, hell, if it was possible Soap would have Ghost's babies. Adopted probably though, or through a serogate because birthing something out your dick is both impossible and would probably kill you.
The rest of the day went like usual, Dinner came around and everyone gathered in the mess hall to drink and talk some. The mess hall had been redecorated for the occasion of course. Instead of the usual rows of tables, they had set up so it was more one big table pushed to the left side of the room so the right side could be used for chairs and board games and shit. It had all been Christmas decorated too, not by much but a few lights here and there and just some regular stuff.
Price and Rudy were still setting up for dinner, quite a few things had already been brought out to the table but Price was very strict about no touching until it was all done. Alejandro held conversations with some of the rookies, playing some basic card games and teaching a few tricks and such. Ghost sat in the corner per usual, he never joined everyone until right at dinner and then after to play games and drink. Then there was Soap, who sat silently at the table, sipping scotch.
Usually he would of joined Alejandro but he didn't trust himself to speak or not stare at Ghost while day dreaming about his beautiful abs. He would have been perfectly fine with staring if it wasn't for the fact that Ghost might see something is up or that Alejandro might notice something is definitely up. So he sat quietly, using the excuse that he needed a bit to really wake himself up enough for socialization. Everyone understood this of course as most everyone had moments where they needed the same treatment.
Soap leaned back, letting his eyes wander. First he noticed that Price and Rudy were arguing, probably about the food, most definitely about the food. The he turned and watched Alejandro, showing the Rookies that were interested how to play blackjack. Then to Ghost, he sat leaned back in a chair, arms crossed while his head looked up at the ceiling. His chest rose and fell slowly, calmly.
Soap wondered if maybe he was napping. Fuck he looked so peaceful, so beautiful. It was different from the shower, watching him now, he was hot, for a lack of a better word, but now he was just... Adorable. It felt like watching a cute puppy.
Ghosts head came down in a quick motion, eyes meeting Soaps in a glare. He flinched away, staring at his hands in his lap, yet he could still feel Ghost eyes burning into the back of his head.
"Dinner!" Price called out, him and Rudy bringing the last of the food to the table.
Soap sighed in relief, something he would only bask in for a single second. Ghost came up behind Soap, he could hear how he walked, he could feel Ghost towering over him. Them he stepped aside and took a seat directly next to Soap.
There were plenty of empty seats, even after everyone sat down, but Ghost sat right next to him, even inching a bit closer to him. Soap inched away a bit, and luckily Ghost settled. Was Ghost messing with him? Did Ghost know Soap was planning something? Soaps mind raced, heart racing faster.
"Alright, dig in,"Price cheered, taking his seat.
Most the rookies rushed to get everything they could on their plate, this was one of the very few times they had really good meals and they weren't missing out. Soap took this chance to stand up and wander the table, grabbing some food. He knew what was coming soon and he was excited to say the least, he felt a sense of hope. Maybe that's why Ghost was acting weird, maybe Ghost loved him too.
Soap took his seat again, much more confident to be sitting next to Ghost who returned just a couple seconds later. Tk be honest, Soap was still a bit to nervous to really be hungry despite not eating all day, but he munched on some mashed potatoes, meat, and corn, foregoing the rolls and all else that was there. Ghost didn't grab much more than Soap did, but he dug into it pretty quickly.
Not much happened at dinner, some people talked and everyone drank. Soap snuck in a few looks at Ghost, admiring how he looked with his mask pulled up halfway so he could eat and drink. Damn, he had never really found watching someone devour food hot, in fact he usually hated it, but Ghost was something different. It was like watching a predator eat it's prey, a beautiful show of nature.
Then finally came the secret santa. The rookies held one between them, and Price had them go first, which wasn't really much to see but after he sent them to bed with smiles on their face, but now came theirs.
They were all instructed to bring the gifts at some point and set them under the assigned chair of who they got, which each chair had a thin sheet covering it and hiding what was underneath. Then, going in a circle, the person would grba their present from underneath the chair and try to guess who it was from. It was decided they would do highest to lowest rank.
First Price, he pulled out a bottle, one filled with Alejandros homemade liquor, one he absolutely loved and he instantly looked at him, "Damn you bastard," He chuckled.
Alejandro laughed, reaching under his chair, pulling out a penguin scarf, "Thank you Rudy." He smiled, feeling the softness before throwing it around his neck.
Finally it was at Ghost. Soaps heart raced. What would he think? Was this to obvious? Would someone call him out? God he would shoot himself if everyone figured out his "crush" towards Ghost.
Ghost felt around before gently pulling the plant out from under the chair. It was a bit happier, but it still needed tending. Ghost was very careful with handling it, holding it like one wrong move and it would break. He looked around, trying to decipher everyone's faces before finally landing on Soap.
"Sergeant," Ghost said in his gruff voice.
"Th-thought you could use a new hobby Lt," Soap panicked in his words, and he could feel the side eye Gaz gave him, "It's a bleeding heart, thought it fit you, plus it looks rather cool."
Ghosts expression was indecipherable, and it made Soap anxious, so very anxious.
"Thank you, I've been needing something to do."
God Soap could have exploded with happiness, there was hope, he couldn't wait to see what Ghost got him. He hoped so hard that it was something saying Ghost loved him back, even if it meant everyone else knew, fuck if it was Soap would go singing from the rooftops.
Rudy got a bottle of hot sauce that he ahd been having trouble finding from Gaz, Gaz got one of those ugly Christmas sweaters from Price though he did put it on instantly. But it was finally Soaps turn. His heart raced at all the possibilities, especially the one that Ghost gave him a flower also, it just seemed so sweet, a good memory to start tell the kids. He was thinking to far in advance, right now, all that mattered was the moment.
"Oh," Soap let out, twisting the bottle of beer.
"I remembered I owed you one," Ghost said, smacking a hand down on his thigh.
Soap chuckled dryly, using everything in him to bury the lingering pit in him, "Yeah, thanks," He sighed, glancing over at Gaz who only looked sad.
He got his hopes to high, that was his fault. But he couldn't rid that pit, he couldn't ignore that parasite of a broken heart. God he was overreacting, what was he thinking, the Ghost being in love with him. That would be like trying to get a brick with murderous instincts to love you.
Soap stayed for a game, all the while having to try and ignore Gaz looking at him like Soaps mother died or something. At least Ghost was enjoying the plant, just for the wrong reason. Which he would be lying if he said it didn't bother him, because it did, a lot. It all hurt, so after a rather quick game of Uno, he called it, saying he had a headache.
His mind raced as he walked back to the barracks, he hadn't even drank the bottle Ghost gave him, he just rolled it in his hands, picking at the labels. How could he be so stupid, so idiotic. He wanted ot be drunk but the fear that once he started getting stupid he might make a mistake. All he could think to do was get to his bed, curl up, and never come out. Maybe it would go away, this feeling, after time and some space from Ghost-
"Sergeant," A familiar voice rushed to him, a very unwanted voice in this moment.
"What?" Soap asked, tone a little meaner than he meant.
"Follow me," Ghost grunted, walking right passed Soap.
"M'not in the mood," Soap grumbled, not really bothering to look in Ghosts direction though he could hear Ghost stop in his steps.
Ghost walked up closer, stopping just behind Soap, "You alright?" He asked, voice sounding genuinely confused.
"M'fine," He sighed, "Jus'... Upset myself aboot something."
"Oh, well, come with me."
"Ghost I'm really not-" Soap started, turning to face Ghost, but as soon as their eyes met Soap stopped.
He let out a sigh, hanging his head a bit, walking with Ghost. They took a familiar path, very familiar, all the way to Ghosts room. God what was he planning, did Ghost know? Was he gonna have a talk with Soap about how he can't have a crush on his lieutenant because it's inappropriate.
"Are you sure?" Ghost asked, opening his door.
"Sure aboot what?"
"That you're alright? You're quieter than usual," Ghost pointed out.
"I already said, jus' upset myself. Nothing else." Soap walked in behind Ghost, unsure what to think.
Ghost closed it after Soap went in, standing awkwardly between Ghost and his bed, fiddling with his thumbs and looking down at his feet. He didn't want to look around Ghosts room, he didn't want to invade his privacy. It got quiet, way to quiet way to quickly.
"Look Ghost, I'm sorry," Soap began, "I got confused and I just-"
"It's alright, I just dragged you here 'cause I wanted to give you your real present," Ghost said, and within and instant Soap got the air knocked from him.
How did he end up here, in just a blink. Back against the door, a slight pain from the force. His shirt was bundled in a fist, same one keeping him to the wall, and despite the panic that washed over him, his eyes stayed closed, purely for the reason of lips.
Ghost finally pulled away for a breath, eyes watering and wide, breath heavy like he feared Soap would hate him. He had taken his mask fully off. But instead, he pulled Ghost back in, tasting the sweetness and mint in his breath.
"Di-did you brush your teeth for this?" Soap panted, only pulling away from Ghosts lips just enough to speak, leaning his forehead against Ghosts instead.
"Yeah, I was... Nervous," Ghost pulled in again, only for a second.
"The Ghost? Nervous? Did hell freeze over?" Soap chuckled, wrapping his arms around Ghosts neck,waiting for him to say something.
"Simon," Ghost panted, slipping his arms to hug Soaps waist, "It's Simon to you."
Soap paused, pulling himself free, looking rather sad, "What the fuck," Soap sighed, voice raising a bit.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
"No, no you didn't, I just got myself worked up is all," Soap sniffled, wiping at his eyes.
Ghost gently gripped Soaps arms, guiding him to his bed. He sta Soap down and kneeled in front of him, placing his hands on Soaps thighs.
"What's wrong? Did I do something?" Ghosts voice was filled with emotion, true emotion, something Soap had never heard before. He heard the fear straining his voice and the worry softening it.
"No," Soap let out a laugh, "Just so fuckin relieved, you have no idea how worried I've been about this... But is that why you were acting weird? You had this planned?"
"No, I was acting weird 'cause I was trying to see what to do. I just thought you weren't interested because of the scars-"
"The scars, that's what you thought I was lookin at? Fuck Simon, you're built like a god and you thought I was lookin at the scars?" Soap scoffed, "I was jus' trying to get a look at everything, wouldn't pass that up for the world."
"Down Johnny, I may have pinned you to the wall but I think I'd like to take things slow for a change," Ghost laughed, leaning up to kiss Soap again.
Soap wrapped his arms around Ghosts neck, and his legs around Ghosts waist, pulling him as close as possible," We can always snuggle, shouldn't be alone on Christmas," Soap moaned into Ghost, happy to taste him.
He could feel Ghost smile, into his lips before Soap was hoisted up and thrown further onto the bed, "Snuggle only, don't need an awkward talk from Price tomorrow, maybe another day."
Soap simply waited for Ghost to get in, having to strip his jacket and shoes first, which then reminded Soap to strip his own shoes. Soap moved in close, resting his head in the nape of Ghosts neck, throwing a leg over so he was sort of half laying on Ghost. Ghost peppered him with kisses, relaxing into the bed more and more, feeling his eyelids become heavier with every second.