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Christmas Eve rolls around the next day and Soap will be the first to admit that he’s not prepared. He felt like he had the best sleep of his life, accompanied by the greatest dream ever, but when he opens his eyes and sees Simon beside him in bed, fast asleep and turned away from him, he realises it wasn’t a dream.
He is suddenly nervous and a little apprehensive. Ghost is in his bed. His superior officer, his boss, and he confessed his love to him the night before. He groans. He confessed his bloody love to him.
But Ghost had reciprocated, hadn’t he? That’s what seems so strange to Johnny, the fact that Simon Riley shared mutual feelings for him. Soap, who Ghost insisted was annoying and brash and stupid at times, was loved by him. He struggles to believe it and when he finally believes it, he finds it hard to accept.
He’s never felt particularly special in anyway, he’s never felt deserving of someone else’s love and he’s always been very insecure in himself. He is an expert at masking it, years of pretending to be straight gave him certain abilities, and he often uses humour and flirtatious jokes to hide his own insecurity. Soap finds it hard to believe that the one time he meant it, the one time he actually felt love for someone else, had been reciprocated.
Soap is anxious as he shuffles closer to Ghost. He can hear his deep breathing and he recognises him as still being fast asleep. He’s a little shocked, he’s never seen Ghost sleep before. When on missions, his LT insists on taking watch where possible and if he does rest, he does so away from everyone else. He’s like a different person out of work though, he’s curled up in Soaps bed and seems to be deep in sleep, vulnerable yet not scared.
Soap, on the other hand, is nervous as all hell as he very cautiously drapes his arm over Ghosts waist. He doesn’t want to surprise him nor make him uncomfortable but Johnny knows that both he and Ghost are touch-starved people and somehow, Soap just knows that Ghosts touch will help. He’s always naturally gravitated towards Ghost and the automatic comfort he provides him so being able to hold him properly helps to put his mind at ease.
With Ghost in his embrace, Soap feels all that insecurity come crawling back to the surface and he sighs, pulling away from Simon as he wakes from all the jostling in the bed, “Johnny? The hell are you doin’?”
Soap feels automatic comfort around Ghost, of course he does, but that doesn’t mean his insecurities go away and that tiny voice in the back of his mind only gets louder and louder when Ghost rolls over to face Soap, eyes lightly squinting and glazed over with sleep. Soap reaches a hand out to Ghosts forearm and smiles lightly as he touches his skin. It’s a safe zone, “Sorry, Simon. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Yeah, well, you did,” Ghost yawns tiredly and leans closer to Soap, his head hitting Johnny’s pillow, “But I don’t care.”
Eye contact has never been an issue for Soap, not with Ghost, however knowing Ghosts eyes are on him has him almost squirming beneath his skin all of a sudden so he slides further under the covers and rests his head beside Ghost, “What do you want to do today?”
“Whatever you want,” Ghost shrugs, “Although, if there are any shops open, I need to try and find you a gift.”
“Why?” Soap asks.
“Because it’s Christmas, idiot,” Ghost laughs, “I’m getting you a damn gift whether you want one or not.”
Soap rolls his eyes, “I best look for one for you then.”
Ghost doesn’t argue back, simply feeling under the covers for Soaps bare waist and he grabs him firmly, “How long have you been awake?”
Soap grumbles a response, “Dunno, not too long.”
Ghost looks up into his eyes and furrows his brows, “Are you okay? You sound- off?”
A nod. “‘M good, jus’ tired.”
“You sure?” Ghost prods at Soap and Soap just nods, keeping his guard up. He hasn’t had Ghost for long enough, by no means, and he isn’t going to throw away something so new and exciting all because his stupid mind won’t quieten down.
They lie in a soft silence for a short time. They have always had a knack for just existing together, not needing to talk, though Soap is also very good at talking for the both of them when necessary. It’s quite peaceful, reassuring almost, that they can just bathe in each others presence.
Whilst they were enjoying their silent company, a soft knock came from Johnnys door. He has no time to even sit up before a voice shrieks, “Uncle Johnny!”
He groans and rubs a hand over his face, Ghost laughing and rolling onto his back as Soap sits up, ready to welcome his niece, “Yes Eilidh?”
The door swings open, bouncing against the wall and she rockets into the room, jumping onto the bed. She tackles Johnny the best way a 4 year old can as she wraps her arms around him and embraces him in a warm hug, “Hurry Johnny!”
“Calm down lass, it’s bleedin’ early still,” Johnny groans, grabbing the young girl and sitting her on the bed as Ghost sits up too, pulling his tongue out at Eilidh as she screws her face up at him, “Why do you want me to hurry?”
“It’s shopping day! You said you would take me for Mummy and Daddy’s presents and you’re still in bed!” She huffs and Soap sighs.
“Shit, did I say that?” He groans and smiles at his niece, “Simon and I were going to go shopping, I take it that you want to come too then?”
“Will you be the Ghostie again?” Eilidh asks Simon who shrugs.
“Maybe. Why don’t you go and get yourself ready and you’ll find out soon enough?” Ghost suggests.
Eilidh nods and shoots out of the room just as fast as she bounced in and Soap sighs. He would’ve loved a lie in, just a lazy morning in bed whilst talking to Ghost, but it looks like it isn’t going to happen.
Within not even an hour, Soap and Ghost find themselves bundling up in warm jackets, zipping them up as far as they will go and pulling on winter woolies. Simon has a balaclava on, using it to keep warm, and Soap pulls a knitted hat over the balaclava, giggling at his handiwork, “Lookin’ good, Lt.”
Ghost only rolls his eyes at Soap but does nothing to remove the hat. By his feet, Eilidh is rocking in her boots as she impatiently waits to go shopping. She is wrapped up to the point that her eyes are all that’s left showing, her hands stuffed in purpled gloves with a matching scarf tied around her neck. Two pigtails stick out from beneath her coral pink hat which has two darker bobbles poking out of either side. She looks warm at least.
“Ghostie,” She says, grabbing at his trouser leg as he looks down, “Will you use your superpowers to keep us safe?”
Ghost finds being called ‘Ghostie’ quite endearing, as does Soap but he knows that if he were to tell anyone, Ghost would pull a gun on them and it would not end well.
“Of course,” Ghost assures, holding the door open as Soap finally slings his backpack onto his back and tugs his hat further over his head, the front of his mohawk sticking out from beneath it. Ghost is keeping his opinions to himself on the way Soap styles the mohawk outside of work, he doesn’t need Soap to know how weak his hair makes him feel, “Both me and your Uncle Johnny.”
Soap takes Eilidh and straps her into her car seat before taking his sisters car and driving it into town, obviously after getting her permission. Eilidh chatters to herself the entire drive, sometimes asking questions to Johnny and ‘Ghostie’ but Soap and Ghost find it easy to converse without having to include the little girl.
They drive past a church, a cemetery present beside it and Ghost watches as families stand beside graves, placing flowers, maintaining the plots. He imagines Christmas Eve is a busy day for graveyards. His stomach sinks. He thinks of the graves in Manchester, his family tucked away beneath them, his nephew, hardly older than Eilidh, frozen at that age forever. He sighs and turns away from the church.
“You okay, Si?” Johnny asks, catching his eyes momentarily before paying attention to the road. He turns into a car park and starts hunting for a spot.
Ghost hums a little, “Remember when I told you about my family? Y’know, what happened and stuff.”
Soap flicks his eyes back over to Ghost with a worried look before nodding, “Of course, why?”
“It’s today. Fifteen years today. ‘S a fuckin’ long time that, Johnny.” Ghost curses before flickering his eyes in the rear view mirror, cautious that he said a ‘bad word’ in front of Eilidh. She seems unfazed.
“Christmas Eve? Shit, Simon, you never mentioned when it was. We could’ve gone to see them, or I would’ve taken you and waited in the car or whatever, it’s not a problem.” Johnny says, parking the car swiftly and staring at Ghost who is biting his lip beneath the balaclava.
Ghost won’t be admitting it, not this soon, but he feels a slight sliver of guilt eating away inside of him as he realises he’s not as upset as he once was. It’s absolutely no easier to deal with and it’s still haunting him to this day but it didn’t take a genius for Ghost to realise that the reason this Christmas isn’t killing him, is because he’s not alone. He has a new family, and whilst it doesn’t replace his old family, it fills the void they left and Ghost realises he loves them. He loves Johnny.
Johnny knows this, of course, Ghost had only admitted it to him last night, but this morning had been such a blur, they weren’t talking about them or whatever the hell they are and seem to just be going about their day like normal.
“I’d rather just be here, with you and Elle. I believe I should be trying to make happier memories rather than dwelling on the past.” Ghost says and with that, he gets out of the car. He unbuckles Eilidh (he is still desperately working on his pronunciation despite having known her name for a month now, referring to her by her nickname ‘Elle’ for ease) and instructs her to stay close as they head into the busy town.
Soap takes them to the shopping centre in the middle of town, saying they should be able to get everything they want there, and Eilidh is excitedly bouncing on her feet at all the Christmas decorations that are, quite frankly, plastered everywhere. There are shining white lights, designed in intricate patterns to present snowflakes and reindeers in their glow. There’s a large tree, touching the ceiling practically, decorated in red and gold baubles, a shining golden star above it and Santa’s Grotto underneath it.
“Uncle Johnny! It’s Santa! He’s here early!” Eilidh shrieks as she sees the jolly man, sat in his grotto with a line of children queueing to see him.
Johnny groans, “I thought the big man would be busy today.” Johnny loves Christmas, he really does, but he cannot be bothered with lying to his niece and queueing for an hour to see a random employee in a cheap suit and stuck on beard when they could just do their shopping and leave.
“Can we see him Uncle Johnny? Please!” She begs.
“We need to shop first, lass, but if yer good and get everything we need, I’ll take you to see Santa. Deal?” He asks and she nods profusely. Soap hopes to God she forgets Santa was even there.
“You any idea what you’re getting?” Ghost asks and Soap shrugs.
“Eilidh wants to get her Ma some wine and a box of chocolates and her Dad a jumper. You, on the other hand, I have no idea what to get.” Johnny says. He takes Eilidh’s hand with his left, keeping her close, and looks down at his right. He wants Ghosts hand in his own so badly but he can’t convince himself just to grab him.
“I might have some ideas for you. Maybe. I haven’t bought gifts in a long time, I can’t guarantee I’ll be any good at it.” Ghost says.
“Can’t guarantee I’ll think of something for you, Lt.” Johnny sighs, “Somethin’ weird about buying your CO a Christmas present.”
“I’m not just your CO though, am I Johnny?” Ghost asks, an eluding tone to his voice as Johnny feels a pink blush touch his cheeks.
“No, I suppose yer not.” He mutters.
Before they can walk much further, a hurried shopper bustles past them and runs straight into Eilidh, their bag hitting her in the face. She yelps out and clutches onto Johnnys leg, tears touching her eyes.
“Hey, will you watch where yer bloody goin’? Damn near took her steamin’ eye out.” Johnny yells at the shopper as he places a protective hand on Eilidhs head, holding her close to his body.
“Maybe you should keep yer bloody kid closer then.” The shopper retorts and Johnny clenches his jaw.
“The fuck did you just say?”
Ghost steps before Johnny, glaring at the shopper with a tight gaze and he protectively shields Eilidh with his leg. Johnny leans down and talks to Eilidh, asking if she’s okay and checking she isn’t injured. Ghost smirks as the shopper takes a step back, “I suggest you leave before we have a problem here.”
The shopper scoffs and steps back, walking away furiously after muttering, “Fuckin’ freaks.” under their breath.
Ghost turns back to Johnny who has picked Eilidh up and is holding her on his side as he gives her a warm hug, “It’s okay sweetheart, calm down. We’ll go and get all our presents and have a super fun day, alright? Take deep breaths Elle.”
Eilidh calms herself down and cuddles into Johnnys chest. She sniffles a little and has gone uncharacteristically quiet. It’s either a Scottish or a MacTavish thing to be incredibly loud but either way, it makes it very easy for Ghost to know when any of them are upset.
He holds his hands out for Eilidh and Johnny looks at him a little confused. Ghosts eyes do all the talking for him. Trust me.
And he does, of course he does, so he turns to his niece and says, “You wanna go to Simon for a minute?” and when she nods, he passes her over.
“You ready to be a superhero?” He asks her and she nods, her eyes red with tears still. He turns her around in his arms so she’s facing outwards and then lifts her high in the air, setting her down on his shoulders. He drops his arms and uses his hands to hold her legs against him, keeping her firmly on his shoulders. She places her hands on the hat on his head, tightly gripping him as she squeals in delight.
“Uncle Johnny look at me! Look how tall I am.” She exclaims, giddily as Ghost ensures he has a tight hold on her.
“Jesus Simon, you better not drop her.” Johnny grumbles, his heart in his throat as he looks up at his niece on Ghosts shoulders. If his heart wasn’t beating so fast with nerves, he would argue that it was because he finds the scene so goddamn adorable he’s convinced he will go into cardiac arrest.
“Relax Soap, I carried your drunken arse over my shoulder for two miles once, you really think I’m going to struggle with a four year old on my back?” Ghost asks before striding off into the busy shopping centre, Soap scrambling to catch up to him.
“Please stop reminding me of that night,” Johnny says, “I’m very surprised I never said anything about my feelings then.”
“I’m surprised too. I knew you liked me then.” Ghost smirks and Soap groans.
“Stop reminding me of my childish crush too, it’s embarrassing!”
“Uncle Johnny, you like Ghostie?” Eilidh asks and Soap jumps, almost forgetting she was there.
“Jesus kid, shut yer trap!” Soap blushes. He really does feel like a school kid being teased for his stupid crush, “It’s not your business.”
“If you like Ghostie, and you’re my Uncle Johnny, does that make him Uncle Ghostie?” She asks and Soap just groans. Children are evil, he’s convinced of it.
“Yeah Johnny, am I?” Ghost joins in and Soap just huffs. Eilidh leans back a little too far on Ghosts shoulders and he has to lean forward to counter the action. Johnnys hand instantly flies up Ghosts back and onto his nieces, holding her protectively in place. When he realises she’s safe, he lets his hand fall but doesn’t retract it. He breaks out of his comfort zone and rests his hand on Ghosts back, just between his strong shoulder blades so he can grab Eilidh quickly if he needs to.
“You can be whatever you want to be Simon.” Johnny says and it seems like such a nonchalant gesture but Ghost is almost on the floor at it. He feels so welcome, so at home with Johnny, and he truly feels like that’s an invitation to be a part of the family.
“You can call me Uncle Ghostie if you’d like. Or just Uncle Ghost. Or Uncle Simon. Or you don’t even have to call me Uncle if you don’t want to.” Ghost explains and Eilidh giggles.
“That’s so cool, I have two Uncles now!” She seems pleased with the idea so Simon leaves her with it, allowing her to decide on the name she blesses him with.
They make it through many shops, Soap helping Eilish choose everything for her parents and Ghost disappearing at one point before returning with a bag of ‘nothing for noseys’ that Soap isn’t allowed to look at.
A few things have caught Soaps eye for Ghost but nothing seems special enough. It’s their first Christmas ever, never mind their first Christmas together, and Soap wants it to be special. He wants a nice gesture that lets Ghost feel warm and welcome and safe. He’s so scared of being too forward, too much for Ghost all at once, and making the man fearful of him. His insecurities are constantly eating away at him but he knows that unless he pushes them aside, he’ll never get anywhere.
That being said, he manages to secure a fun gift for him to open on Christmas Day but he also finds a more personal gift, one he wants him to open that night. He manages to grab these without Ghost seeing, simply telling him to stay with Eilidh in the queue for Santa (because of course she didn’t forget that the big man was there) whilst he finishes up his shopping.
Soon enough he is back by their sides, his eyes immediately checking on Eilidh because he’ll be damned if that child gets injured under his watch. Their silence is companionable. It’s loud around them, children screaming, people talking on their phones, general chitchat but they stay relatively quiet. That is until Soap lets out what can only be described as an embarrassing yelp when he feels Ghost’s hand touch his waist. Ghost furrows his brows and stares at Soap, fingers gripping into his hip tightly and protectively as they walk down the line. Eilidh is stood in front of them, spinning in lazy circles to occupy her mind.
“What’s got you so jumpy, Sergeant?” Ghost asks. Soap shrugs.
“Nothin’.” He mumbles.
Ghost isn’t buying it, “Johnny, talk to me. You’ve been acting weird all day. Is- shit, is it about last night? A-are you having second thoughts?”
Ghosts fingers lessen their grip but Soap grabs his hand, holding it tightly around his waist as he shakes his head, “No! Nothin’ like that, I swear, I’m just- I- Fuck, it doesn’t matter, Si.”
“Johnny.” Ghosts voice is firm. “Talk.”
“I- Fuck, Simon,” Soap groans under his breath, “I just feel- shitty, I guess. Yer really important to me, ya know that, but I don’t feel all that special in return. I can’t see why you care about me or wanna be with me or whatever.”
He trails off and turns his head away to avoid Simons burning stare but it makes no odds as Ghost yanks his waist and pulls him closer, Soap stumbling in his step a little as he turns back to Ghost, “I don’t fuckin’ believe you. You, of all people, Johnny- Jesus Christ do you think I’d be here if I didn’t want to be? Why do you think I’m here with you instead of Price or Gaz if you don’t think you’re special? Johnny you’re the only person to ever get through to me, the real me, you’re important as all hell and I’ll be damned if I die before you realise that.”
Soap sighs and leans into Ghost a little. He will admit, his warmth is comforting, “I just think you could do better than me, is all. I don’t think I’m as important as you say I am.”
“Stop it Soap. You are. You’re so important to so many people, especially to me. How many people do you think I’ve shared a bed with without the mask? I’ll give you a hint, it’s just you Johnny.” Ghost sighs and looks down, “If you don’t want to be with me, that’s fine, I’m not going to make you and it wouldn’t change a thing. Just be honest with me.”
“I do, I swear I do,” Johnny looks ahead and sees they’re nearing the front of the line. Eilidh is bouncing excitedly on her feet, “Can we talk about this later, Si? When we don’t have to watch her?”
Ghost nods but he looks reserved and afraid. Soap bites his cheek and sighs, “I promise Lt, I’ll be honest with you. I’m just in my own head, that’s all and it’ll pass, it always does. Just know that I do want you, Simon, so fuckin’ much.”
Ghost slips his hand from around Soaps back and Johnny is scared he’s fucked this up already somehow but Ghost just firmly tucks his hand into Soaps and squeezes softly, reassuring Soap.
“Uncle Johnny, swear!” Eilidh announces and Soap playfully huffs at her.
“Aw damn, not again!” Soap declares, gasping dramatically as Eilidh shakes her head.
“I would never say such words.” Ghost jokes.
“Uncle Ghostie is good! Not like bad Uncle Johnny!” Eilidh announces proudly and Soap just rolls his eyes. He knows full well what a foul mouth his Lieutenant has.
Soon enough, they reach the front of the queue to see Santa and Eilidh suddenly grows shy. She hooks her arms around Johnnys legs so he bends down and picks her up, “What if he knows I’ve been naughty? Do you think he knows it was me that put gum in that kids hair?”
Johnny stares at his niece in shock but shakes his head, “I’m sure it was with good reason, lass. I’m sure the big man forgives you for it too.”
She nods and Soap awkwardly smiles at the Santa as he takes Eilidh over, sitting her on his lap. Ghost watches from a safe distance, not wanting to intrude on what he believes to be ‘family time’ but it’s endearing just watching Johnny be a family man.
One of Santas elves asks if Eilidh wants a picture with Santa but she only agrees if both Soap and Ghost are in it. Ghost wants to fight the four year old desperately and put his foot down that he doesn’t do pictures but he is easily won over by puppy dog eyes, something that Soap often does to get his own way with Ghost and clearly must run in the family.
Eilidh holds onto Johnnys hand as he crouched down beside her for the photo and Simon is apprehensive as he sits by her other side. Despite the balaclava, he still smiles so his eyes show his emotion since he knows Johnny can read him like a book.
“You keep being good, little one,” The jolly Santa employee says as Eilidh scampers off his lap, “I’m sure I have lots of gifts with your name on back in the North Pole!”
“It’s okay if you spell it wrong, Santa, everyone always does!” She proclaims as Soap laughs, holding his nieces hand as he drags her away. Santa had given her a present box, most likely with a selection box in, but she seems happy enough with it.
Ghost is quickly back at Johnnys side, pushing all thoughts of Christmas behind him as best as possible as they walk back to the car. Somehow he’s been lumbered with all the shopping bags but he can’t find it in him to care.
Driving back, they go past that same cemetery from before but before Ghost can find the time to feel depressed by it, his attention is caught by a large family, lots of aunts, uncles and grandparents surrounding a man and a woman holding a baby in a long white dress. A christening. Everyone is all smiles and happy faces and Ghost can’t help but reciprocate the emotion.
When they return back to Johnny’s, Soap assigns Eilidh a mission to keep Fiona and Tom busy whilst he and Ghost wrap their presents. Really he just wants the little girl out of his way so he can talk to Simon.
They sit on the floor in his room, a roll of wrapping paper each and a tape dispenser between them. They are back to back, so they can’t see each others gifts, and Soap finds it a lot easier to talk to Ghost this way.
He lists off everything to him, from his insecurities, to his worries and Ghost relays back to Soap that he was right, it is all in his head, because Ghost can assure Soap that he thinks he’s important beyond belief and he feels like he doesn’t deserve Johnny, not the other way around.
Soon after their talk, Soap finds himself wrapping with his back comfortably pressed against Ghosts. Suddenly, that proximity doesn’t burn like a flame, in fact it brings warmth but in the form of comfort.
With presents bundled in their arms, they rush down the stairs to tuck them under the tree for everyone to open in the morning. Fiona and Tom and sat on Soaps couch, Eilidh sat on the floor before them showing them the picture from Santa.
The room is dark, the lights from the TV and the Christmas decorations illuminating it to the best of their abilities and it feels cozy. A sudden ding alarms Fiona and Tom who scurry to their feet to check on the food they’re preparing. Eilidh trails after them, still babbling on despite the fact they are most certainly not paying their full attention to her.
As Soap places the last of the presents under the tree, he gasps and grabs one, standing to his feet. He holds the small box out towards Ghost who looks at him in confusion. “Merry Christmas, Simon.”
Ghost takes the box and turns it curiously in his hands. With his other hand, he reaches up and tugs the balaclava over his features. Soap likes to believe no one heard the way his breath caught in his throat when Ghost unveils himself. “Johnny, Christmas isn’t for another five hours.”
Soap nods, “Christmas tradition, a present on Christmas Eve. Well, this is more so a Family tradition.” Soap trails off before blushing a little, “Open it, then!”
Ghosts nails claw through the paper as he furrows his brows at Soap, “Family tradition?”
Soap nods whilst Ghost unfurls the cardboard box. He takes the delicate glass ornament out of its bubble wrapped case and turns it around, seeing Simon printed in cursive on the side. Soap is bright red as he points up at the tree.
“We all have a bauble. Everyone we care about in the family has one. There’s Eilidh and Fiona and Tom and there’s mine. There’s also one near the bottom for Smoky, my old cat.” Soap shuffles his feet a little before looking up into Ghosts eyes, “I thought you might like one, a formal invite to the MacTavish’s if you will. If- if that’s what you really want.”
Ghost stares at Soap. Than the ornament. Then at Johnny again. A smile breaks out onto his face as tears gather in his eyes. No matter how uncharacteristic of himself he is being, there’s something about this moment, this outward declaration of love and family being his first experience of it since the last Christmas Eve he remembers. It’s perfect. Johnny is perfect.
“Where do I put it, Johnny?” Ghost asks, delicately.
“Pride of place, Si, right next to mine.” Johnny points to a spare branch right next to Johnny decoration and Ghost takes his time in carefully hanging the bauble beside Soaps.
Soap seems to be struggling with what to say, worried about being too forward, too soon or just for being too much. Ghost changes that.
He grabs onto Johnny’s hips with a gentleness Soap has never experienced before. The unmasked soldier leans in, nose nudging against Soaps for a moment, giving him the opportunity of an out, before he dips his lips fully and meets Soaps with his own.
There’s something so perfect in imperfection. Something in the way their breaths catch in their throats, the way Johnny takes a second to kiss back, the feeling of chapped lips against another pair that is so beautiful to Ghost. To Soap. Johnny’s arms slip around Ghosts figure, hands cupping behind his back as he leans into his chest, kissing him with a passion unknown to most in their line of work.
The perfection of their first kiss is shattered before long, the innocence behind the voice of a child snapping them from their moment, “Uncle Johnny! Why are you kissing Uncle Simon? That’s rude, I’m only a kid, I can’t be seeing that!” She exclaims.
Her loud voice (damned Scots) carries loud enough for Fiona and Tom to come running to see Soap and Ghost stood, comfortably wrapped in each others embrace whilst staring awkwardly at Johnny’s family.
”Johnny?” Fiona asks. She eyes the two men and spots a sixth bauble on the tree, glass with gold and red embellishments. She smirks at her younger brother, “Take my advice, then?”
Tom, often a poor attempt at a wingman for Johnny, joins in with his wife’s smirking when he too assesses the situation at hand, “Your name looks good there, right next to Johnny’s.”
Soap groans under his breath and rests his head on Ghost’s chest as Simon swings an arm around him. Soap smiles as he announces, “You might wanna get used to seeing Simon around, there’s a chance that you won’t be seeing much of me without him these days.”
Fiona and Tom smile, Fi letting out a little squeal whilst Eilidh mumbles on about Uncle Ghostie and Uncle Johnny kissing when there was no mistletoe.
“Oh that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you two.” Fiona exclaims.
“I’m glad I won’t have to deal with helping you flirt anymore John.” Tom jokes as Soap just laughs, turning to Ghost who too has witnessed the many failures of Johnny’s drunken flirtations.
“Welcome to the family, Simon.” Johnny whispers to him, kissing just below his ear.
And that warms Ghost to his core.