Chapter Text
“So what's your plan for today Si?”
Soap looked down to his bowl of cereal and swirled the floating chocolate circles around with his spoon. He rested his head on his other hand. He looked up to Simon, who was reading the daily newspaper.
Adjusting to civilian life had been rough for the first few years. Both men trying to get their bearings on not having to jump to action in a moments notice. Not having to train until their muscles screamed for a break. Not having to be on high alert for hours on end. Not having to worry about the safety of their team or if they just muttered their last words to each other...
No. Now it was different. It was. Calm. It was uncomfortable at first. There was nothing to fully commit themselves to other than each other. But even then, they had struggled. They'd had petty squabbles over the smallest things. Like putting the plates away in the wrong place or the towels in the wrong cupboard. They were quickly resolved but they both realised they needed activities of their own.
Johnny had found a life drawing class near their little flat in the outskirts of Glasgow. It turned out to be a club for anyone to join, not one of those ‘exclusive’ clubs for snobs that had lived and breathed art their entire life and looked down on people who didn’t appreciate it. No. It was small and friendly. They would try out different mediums and techniques weekly, giving all the people attending different challenges and options to try out things they might not have the chance to in their own time. He had experimented with acrylics, using the roughness of the paint to dry in ways that lifted his passion off the canvas. He had tried watercolour but that hadn’t ended as well. The paint dried too quickly and he found that going over the same spot to recreate the same colour to be tiring. It was perfect for Johnny, he was able to express himself in less destructive ways. Even though he still missed the adrenaline rush he felt after detonating one of his monstrous creations in enemy territory.
The only downside was that he had to work it round his part time job at a local cafe. He'd sometimes miss specific classes he desperately wanted to try, but he knew it wasn't anyone's fault. Some of the instructors offered to change their allotted times so that he could attend, but he usually declined. It wouldn't be fair for other students or people learning for their class to be cancelled just for one guy.
According to some of the friends he had made there, it was nowhere near as lively before Johnny had joined. Sometimes he couldn't figure out whether that was a good or bad thing. He didn't want to disturb the peace there but he liked adding a bit more energy to the room. He knew he was good at radiating energy to others from his time in the military, being able to spur others on when they started to drag behind.
He felt like he was truly part of a little community again and that he genuinely added to their enjoyment.
Simon, on the other hand, had no clue what he wanted to spend his time doing. He helped Johnny get ready for his art classes, made him lunch and made sure he didn't forget his drink.
Again.
Before leaving, Simon would always peck Johnny on the forehead, whilst cupping his face and told him to have a good time.
“Make sure to drink this time Johnny. You won't be able to concentrate if you don't.” Simon had grumbled. He held Johnny's face in his hands, angled up so their gaze met. He looked to the younger man, his eyebrows pinched in worry.
“Ah I'm sure I'll remember this time, Si.” He smiled, his crow's feet had become a lot more prominent in their years spent together. He had a lot more to smile about now. Johnny lifted his hand up to stroke Simon’s cheek. Simon's eyes softened, a gentle smile spread over his face.
“Good.”
After Johnny left the flat, Simon would busy himself with chores. He felt like he had to do something with his time else he became restless and antsy. He'd clean the sides down, check their small stock of food and then water his plants that lived on the windowsills and a few more on the balcony outside.
A few times a week, he would venture out on a walk to their local town. It was 10 minutes by car, but Simon liked to listen to the birdsong and look at the local plant life. Sometimes he'd buy ingredients to try different dinners. Sometimes he'd buy a little treat for both him and Johnny to have together. But most of the time, he'd find himself walking into the local bookshop.
The jingle of the bell was all so familiar. He liked this bookshop more than any other he'd been to because they always played classical music. It helped distract him when there were too many people and the walls started to feel like they were closing in, suffocating.
One day, he had entered but no one had greeted him. Hmm odd. He glanced at some of the books, when another person entered.
“Morning!” the person said, Ghost nodded back. He still made an effort to be approachable, even when he wore his black skull print surgical mask. A birthday gift from Johnny.
Ghost went back to scanning through the titles to see if anything took his fancy. He heard a shuffle near him and turned. The person stepped closer to him.
“Hi there, could you help me find a book?”
Simon blinked at the person.
“I don't work here. But sure.” They described the book to Simon, who patiently listened. Luckily, he could figure out which section it would likely be in and guided them over to it. He reached a shelf and pulled a bright green book out. “Is this the one you're looking for?” The person eagerly nodded and thanked him for the help. He nodded back with a small smile.
He looked to the back to hear a few grunts accompanied by boxes shifting. He knocked the open door before entering, “Need any help back here?”
“Oh! Yes *huff* please!” Simon made his way back to find a smaller man around his age, struggling. He took the boxes away from the man and he looked up. “Whoa! Thanks for the help!” the man was overly happy for the help. Simon nodded back at the sudden gush of gratification.
They spoke for a while, the man noting that Simon frequented the shop and even though he was quiet, didn't seem too uncomfortable to help others.The owner then offered Simon a part time job to move and arrange stock. He explained that the help he'd had in the past wasn't up to scratch and he'd lost customers from having to be in the back.
Simon was taken aback. He'd helped because someone had needed it. He didn't expect anything from it. He hesitated for a second, mulling it over. It would certainly help with paying off bills, savings and if he wanted to treat Johnny to a day out sometime. It would give him a newer routine, a reason to get out of the flat more. It would give him some excitement compared to his regular routine that was quickly becoming stagnant.
He shook the man's open hand. The details were solved quickly and Simon immediately sent Johnny a text.
“Hope your day's going well. I just got a part time job. <3” He pocketed his phone. He knew Johnny wouldn't see the text for a bit.
He returned home after picking up a few things from the shop. He put everything away, setting things aside for their dinner later. He settled and sat at the table. He looked through the local newspaper and an ad caught his eye. 'New owner wanted! Retired service dog needs a forever home!' Simon smiled at the ad.
If he and Johnny had found a way to live in this world, surely they could too? His phone buzzed.
Johnny
“WHAT?? Tell me all about it when I get home! Proud of you <3”