Chapter Text
“Hey Captain, have you got the popcorn almost done??”
“Almost! Kyle, have you and Alejandro picked the movie yet?”
“No sir, we’re debating over Venom, Six, or Avatar.”
“I vote for Avatar. Oh wait, what about Spiderverse? Or any spiderman movies??”
Ghost sat on the couch dead silent while everyone talked around him. He was about ready to yell for everyone to shut the hell up, as the noise levels were getting very overwhelming. Instead, he just covered his ears. It was movie night at the 141, and Price had invited Alejandro and Rodolfo to join them. Laswell was there too with her wife, who was passing out blankets and pillows. Soap hopped over the back of the couch and slid into the spot next to Ghost. Ghost glanced at him as the scotsman pressed against him.
“Hey Ghost, you want some hot chocolate? Rudy put a little bit of jalapeno in it so it’s a little spicy.”
“No thank you, I’m okay. I just need everyone to quiet down.” He kept his ears covered. Soap blinked and patted his back.
“Hey uh, could we keep it down a bit? Mr. Mans over here is not liking the noise.” He called out to everyone else, who went about their activities quieter.
“Mr. Mans? Why’d you call me that?” Ghost took one of the blankets Laswell’s wife handed him.
“I dunno, I thought it would be a cute fitting name for a big scary guy like you.” Soap grinned and took half of the blanket, draping it over his lap. At this, Ghost huffed but said nothing. Soon, everyone else filed into the room and found their spots. Ghost scooted all the way against the arm of the couch, with Soap beside him and Gaz beside him. On the loveseat was Alejandro and Rudy, with Laswell and her wife on the other love seat cuddling. Price sat in the big arm chair and lit a cigar.
They turned on the movie and passed around the popcorn. Soap offered the bowl to Ghost, but he just passed it on to Laswell. Soap furrowed his brows a bit but turned his attention to the movie. His arm was against Ghost’s, and he could feel the warmth from the bigger man’s body. Instictively, he scooted even closer to Ghost, leaning into him. Ghost looked at him confused but said nothing. As the movie went on, Soap found himself leaning more and more on Ghost, basically cuddling into him. He jumped at a jumpscare and hid under the blanket, hugging Ghost’s arm with a whimper.
“Aye Johnny,” Ghost whispered. “You scared?”
“S-shut up I’m not scared.” He popped his head back out of the blanket but kept a hold on Ghost’s arm. Truthfully, Ghost didn’t mind all that much. The human contact felt nice, and even though Ghost wore a jacket, he could still feel Soap’s cold hands thorugh the fabric. His eyes ghosted around the room at the other people.
Price was busy with the popcorn and his cigar, Gaz was watching intently and sipping from his mug. On the other side of the room, Laswell and her wife were cuddling and murmuring amongst themselves. Alejandro was holding Rudy close to his chest, nuzzling into his dark hair while Rudy fed him some popcorn. Ghost furrowed his brows, having not expected to see the two men acting so cuddly. He caugh Rudy’s eye and saw quick panic flash across his face. Ghost just looked at Soap, then back at Rudy and shrugged to show that he didn’t really care. Rudy smiled softly and settled back into Alejandro’s arms.
Soap rested his head against Ghost’s shoulder and closed his eyes for a brief second, relaxing fully against the warm man. Ghost was very warm-natured and was basically a human heater. Regardless of the temperature outside, Ghost always felt warm. It very much conflicted with his cold appearance and personality. Ghost hated it though, because whenever someone was cold they would come stand close to him or even touch his arm or something. He had almost sliced off Soap’s hands the first time the other man grabbed onto him for warmth. Now, he was more used to Soap touching him but still gave glares to everyone else. Well everyone but Price, it was hard to be pissed at Price when the man oozed good vibes. He had helped Ghost feel most at home, so Ghost thought it fair to not get mad at him.
Carefully, he slipped an arm around Soap and tugged the man closer under the blanket where no one could see. Soap looked at him in shock and was met with a silent stare. He smiled and pressed even clsoer to Ghost. Ghost didn’t know what to do with his hand, so he just rested it on Soap’s waist. He couldn’t help but notice how it curved nicely and seemed to fit his hand perfectly.
They stayed like this till the movie was over and Ghost went ot move, but he was stuck. As the lights came on, he glanced at Soap and found the man asleep on his shoulder. He blinked and looked at the others. Price chuckled softly.
“I think you’ve got something attached to you there Simon,” he mused while Gaz pulled out his phone to snap a picture. “Do you want me to wake him?”
“No, don’t…but could you move the blanket please?” Price did so and Ghost blushed under his mask, aware that everyone could see that his hand was resting on Soap’s waist.
“Both Soap and Rudy fell asleep,” Alejandro commented. “The little spoon always falls asleep first. I didn’t take you for a cuddler Ghost.” Ghost glanced at Rudy who was fast asleep on Alejandro’s chest, Alejandro’s hand tangled in his hair as he stroked it.
“I’m not, the cheeky blighter fell asleep on me.” He carefully maneuvered and scooped up Soap, standing and adjusting.
“Do you need help with him?” Laswell asked as she stretched.
“No thank you, I got him. He isn’t really that heavy.” He looked down at Soap who just snuggled ever closer to the warm man. He was in a deep dead sleep.
“I guess he had a long tiring day.” Gaz commented as he opened the door for Ghost. He got thanked with a nod as Ghost stepped outside.
“Bloody Soap…I bet waking you up wouldn’t even work.” He carried Soap back to his barracks and pushed the door open with his foot. He entered and looked around. He carefully set Soap on his bed and threw a blanket over him. He turned and was about to leave before he heard a soft little noise. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Soap had stretched out with his arms reaching for Ghost. His eyes were cracked open and he yawned.
“Where are you going?” his voice was thick with sleep. “Is the movie over?”
“You’re in your own bed dummy. You fell asleep on me, so I brought you back to your bed so you can sleep.” He put his hand on the doorknob and turned it to leave before Soap whined.
“Wait, stay…stay with me?” Ghost looked at him again.
“Stay? With you here?”
“I don’t want to be alone…” his voice trailed off and he shook his head. “Ah nevermind, you can go. Sorry Ghost.”
“Simon,” Ghost didn’t know why he said it but he swallowed and continued at Soap’s lookof surpise. “Um…if it’s just you and me you can call me Simon.” Why did he say that? He couldn’t even answer taht as he came over to Soap’s bed.
“Okay Simon,” he smiled and scooted so Ghost could sit down. “Sorry for falling asleep on you. But thank you for bringing me back.”
“It’s okay and you’re welcome,” for some reason Ghost felt warmth in his chest.
“You’re quite warm, it’s hard not to fall asleep when snuggled with you Lt.” He bundled himself in his blankets and gazed at Ghost with sparkling eyes.
“Is that so, Johnny?” His body moved on his own and he laid down next to Soap.
“Mhmm,” he pressed close to him and smiled. “You’re like a nice personal heater.”
“Whatever Johnny, just quit yapping and go back to sleep.” He moved his arm so Soap could use it to rest his head against. He didn’t know why he was all touchy with Soap right now, but he would never let any of the other men find them like this. But there was something about Soap that made Ghost feel like Simon again. Something that warmed his heart and broke down the walls that he had carefully constructed.
“Yessir Simon,” he leaned up and pressed a kiss to his mask before getting comfy and falling asleep fast. Ghost was left looking at the sky with wide eyes. His heart was racing and swelling. He’d never let Soap know this, but Ghost had secretly been feeling things towards him. He didn’t know how to describe it or even understand it, and had been meaning to talk to someone about it…he just didn’t know who or how.
Looking at Soap sleeping, he decided who he needed to say it to, but he’d wait a little longer. Not too long, in case Soap found someone else to share intimacy with. Ghost wouldn’t allow it until he had said his peace. Without another thought, he lifted his mask and gave Soap’s forehead a small kiss.