Chapter Text
Ghost HATES flying. Even though they had to fly nearly every time they went on a mission, Simon despised traveling by public transports, especially airplanes.
Being shipped out by a military airplane, no problem, but spending hours smushed up together with random people and not being able to move freely, very much a problem.
They were at the airport, standing in the line for the check-in. Johnny was busy fiddling with their luggage while ghost was trying to stay calm. He hated big crowds, even more when they were huddled together in a line with no place to get away or move around. Everything was loud, kids were screaming, everyone was talking at once and every now and then a loud voice would announce over the loudspeakers which gate has newly opened.
He hated it.
But what he hated more was the reason why he was even here.
Ghost was sent on medical leave, ugh! He had some serious injuries on his abdomen and after spending two weeks in the hospital the doctor had suggested medical leave for two months.
Two whole fucking months!
Of course he protested and fought tooth and nail to not be sent home.
In the end, there were two options, either two full months of medical leave or one month of leave and then he could return for light duty, which meant doing paperwork and training rookies.
Ghost wasn’t too trilled but it was better than two months at home, so he accepted.
What made the decision even easier was when johnny offered to join him and spending one month with his boyfriend in a flat in Glasgow was very tempting. So that’s how they ended up here at the airport.
Johnny was finished with what every he was doing to their luggage, when it was finally their turn to check in. Soap took over the talking while ghost just stood quietly next to him and watched. The woman at the counter was very nice but ghost still noticed the worried glances she shot him. He didn’t blame here, even though he’d abandoned his balaclava and replaced it with a simple surgical masked and a black hood pulled over his head, he still looked like a creep.
When the got rid of their suitcases and were left only with their bags, they made their way to the security.
-
Ghost nearly ran out of the airport when he saw the queue for security and johnny had to physically hold him back by taking his hand and intervening their fingers. It calmed him down enough to get him to stand into the line but during the next 15 minutes johnny had unconsciously let go of his hand and everything started to worsen.
Security guards were yelling, people were pushing each other around and the constant beeping from the machines made his head spin. The panic slowly started to spread through his whole body, making him feel dizzy. His ears started ringing, everything was muffled, his hands began to shake and he started to pick at the skin around his nails. When he tried to tell johnny that he felt uncomfortable, he noticed that he wasn’t there.
Johnny wasn’t next to him.
Johnny was gone!
‘Notgoodnotgoodnotgood’ His breathing began to pick up and he was franticly looked around to see if he can find him but he couldn’t see. The edges of his vision began to close in, people began to push forward because he wasn’t moving and his breathing became flatter and flatter. People around him started to notice that something was wrong and took a big step back, giving him space. He was still looking around, still searching for johnny and it felt like there were at least a hundred eyes on him.
Suddenly, he faintly heard someone excusing himself, clearly fighting through the crowd of people. When he turned toward the sound he saw johnny emerging from the thick swarm of people and speed walking towards him.
“Oh god Simon, what happened?! Are you okay?” Ghost didn’t answer and just stared at johnny, still shaking, eyes blown wide and hyperventilating. Johnny realized that people staring at them wasn’t helping so he took Simons hand and let him to the nearest bathroom.
In the bathroom, he sat ghost down on the toilet lid and kneeled in front of him, taking both of his hands in his own.
“Look at me Simon. Breath with me. Deep breaths in…and out…in…and out. Great keep going, in…and out…”
After his breathing had slowed down a little and he was able to see clearly again he finally spoke.
“You left,” he said in a whisper.
“Oh Simon, i’m sorry. I thought you heard me when i told you that i had to go to the bathroom to empty some bottles. I can’t take them through security, you know. ’m sorry i left you alone. I won’t do it again, I promise.”
Simon absently nodded, not meeting soaps gaze and kept looking at their hands. He felt stupid for making a drama and starting to panic because johnny had to empty some fucking bottles. It wasn’t even a big deal, he just had to-
He was ripped out of his thoughts when two hands cupped his face and forced him to look up.
“Stop it Simon, it’s not your fault. I should have made sure that you heard me before I left. You did nothing wrong and it’s okay. It’s okay to have a panic attack and nobody judges you. Everything is okay,” and with that johnny gave him a quick kiss on the forehead.
“Are you ready to go bac-“he started to say but Simon immediately tensed up, his breathing began to quicken again and his hands started to sweat.
“Okay, okay. No going back to the waiting line, that’s fine. We’ll ask them if they could get us in the line for first class. There are way less people then in economy. Do you think you could do that?”
‘God, Johnny’s voice was so soft and understanding, how did he deserve such a man by his side.’
“Yeah, i think so” he said quietly, making johnny smile with his answer. Soap clapped his hands together and stood up,”okay, lets go.”
-
They turned to one of the security guards, explaining what’d happened and asked if they could change lines. The guard was very understanding and lead them to the first class queue. There were still some people there but this time johnny didn’t let go of Simons hand.
He only let go when they had to walk through the metal detector but immediately after soap was holding his hand again.
When they had finally passed security, they made their way to their gate. It was a peaceful walk compared to the stress they had before. They even spent some time in the different shops, taking advantage of the duty-free.
Johnny was walking around in search of a new perfume, spraying some of it on his wrist to smell it, while ghost was a few steps away looking at some aftershave. Ghost kept a wary eye on him, not wanting to be left alone again, and noticed himself getting lost in the beautiful sight of johnny.
He lost himself in the way Johnny’s nose scrunched when he didn’t like a smell, or how he rolled his lips when he was trying to choose with one he likes the most or how his eyes lit up when he found the right perfume and how he waved at ghost, signalizing him that he should have a look at the perfume he chose.
“How do you like this one? I think it’s similar to the old one i had but could you smell it for me? I’m not sure.”
Ghost took his wrist and smelled, humming at the pleasant scent that filled his nose,”i like it.”
“Good, cause i love it and…” johnny started to ramble about how his mother had the same and went on and on about different facts about the smell, origin and production.
Simon only listened with one ear, he was fully concentrated on the movements of Johnny’s lips and how he loved to feel them on his own, his gesturing hands and how they always hold him with so much care and tenderness, and his eyes which are filled with so much genuine love for him and how they travelled over his body, loving every scar and dent he has.
Johnny was still talking, mindlessly applying a few squirts of the perfume on his neck, when ghost suddenly surged forward and hugged him, his head nestled against his neck, one hand holding Johnny’s head and the other on his lower back. Johnny was flustered for a moment, not expecting such a sudden reaction, but slowly hugged him back.
“Simon? Everything okay?”
“Yeah”
Johnny wasn’t fully convinced by his answer.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,”Simon hummed, losing himself in the new but still familiar scent of johnny. They stood there for five minutes, both not caring about the looks they received.
They slowly pulled back, Simons hand leaving Johnny’s head and moving to his cheek. He looked at him and just took in the ocean blue of soaps eyes.
“I love you” he whispered, pulling his masked down and giving him a tender kiss on his lips. Johnny was stunned from the sudden affection but didn’t mind it one bit and just leaned into the kiss. When they parted, ghost trying to chase the kiss which lead to a chuckle from johnny.
“I love you too, you numpty, but we have to go. We don’t wanna miss our flight and i clearly have to buy this perfume first,” he smiled at him. They bought the perfume and made their way to the gate.
-
The boarding went relatively smoothly and they found themselves pressed together in their two assigned seats. Johnny was sitting next to the window and ghost in the middle, luckily the aisle seat staid empty.
After waiting one and a half hour because of technical issues, which only made ghost more anxious ‘flying with a broken plane, great’, they finally started to move. Ghost wasn’t really paying attention, he just kept staring at the seat in front of him, when he was suddenly pressed into his seat. The plane started to take off, accelerating quickly and shaking violently. He gripped his armrests with full force, not caring if he would break them, digging his nails into the plastic, shutting his eyes and clenching his jaw.
This felt completely different from a helo taking off and he didn’t like it at all.
All of a sudden, there was a soft hand slowly prying his hand off the armrest. He opened one of his eyes a bit only to see johnny looking at him with love and concern in his eyes, a small smile on his lips and his hands massaging Simons.
“Everything is fine, we are already in the air. It’s over. You can open your eyes again.” He sounded so worried and soft that there was no other way then for ghost to open his eyes and take deep breaths. He could feel his face getting warmer, blushing in shame.
‘God, he felt pathetic. He is a grown man, he should be able to handle a little bit of shaking.’
“It’s only a two hour flight so it won’t take too long ‘till we’re home, okay? You don’t have to be ashamed of your fear of flying. Many people have it and it’s considered a norm.”
He just nodded and looked away.
“You’re doing great, baby. I know that you hate flying but i’m proud of you,” johnny gave him a kiss on his hand,” how does a bath sound after such a stressful day, hm? I could wash your hair and you could fully relax, you don’t have to do anything. Would you like that?”
Simon just looked at him shyly, blushing even harder but this time not of shame, and nodded again. Johnny smiled at him and gave him a kiss on his cheek, praising him again for doing so good and making Simons head turn tomato red.
The landing was nerve wracking for ghost. He nearly crushed Johnny’s hand, holding onto it like a lifeline.
Getting off the plain was easy and they received their luggage pretty quickly. They called a cab and made their way to Johnny’s flat.
During the ride, ghost fell asleep on Johnny’s shoulder, clearly being mentally exhausted by the flight. Soap just looked at the sleeping form of his boyfriend, smiling to himself and giving him a quick kiss on the head.
-
When they’d finally arrived at Johnny's flat it was already 11pm and he lightly shook ghosts shoulder to wake him up. They paid the cap, took their luggage and went inside the small apartment.
When johnny opened the door and lead them inside, showing Simon where he should put his shoos, he noticed how different Johnny’s flat was from his own. There were pictures hanging from the wall, some of Johnny’s family and even a couple of TF141. While johnny made his way to the kitchen, ghost spent his time slowly walking through the hallway, taking his time with examining the different photos.
One of the photographs caught his eye, it was a photo of johnny as a young teenager, petting a dog and with the wides smile on his face. He looked so happy and completely carefree, not yet having to worry about what is going on in the world around him. He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t hear johnny quietly swearing to himself.
“Simon, we have to go grocery shopping tomorrow! There is literally nothing in the fridge.”
“Well what did you expect? How long has it been since you’ve last been here, hm?!” he yelled back, smirk clear in his voice.
“Oh fuck off” laughed johnny, walking towards ghost to stand next to him.
“Ah, that’s the photo of me and my grandparents dog, spike. I was 13 and my mother and I went to visit them on their farm. Was a nice summer, very quiet without my sisters there.”
Ghost looked at soap, there was something sad in his eyes. “Sadly both my grandmother and spike past away the year after, grandpa followed not even a year later, he wasn’t able to live without the love of his life by his side.”
It was quiet for a moment, both taking in what has just been said.
“I’m sorry,” they made eye contact, johnny smiling lightly. “It’s okay, it was a long time ago and they were old anyways. This photo just reminds me of them, it makes me happy to have one last good memory with them.” Ghost hummed in agreement.
“Okay ,let’s change the subject to a more present topic. Let me give you a room tour of my fancy apartment.” Johnny smiled widely, clearly finished with the topic of his grandparents. “Here, we have the kitchen and there…” in the end the show lasted for half an hour. Johnny showed him were the kitchen appliances are, where the living room and bedroom is and even told him who the neighbors are and that he should keep his distend from the old man upstairs.
“He’s very rude, not caring if he disturbs the rest of us with his old record player. He only has one disk and that thing can’t even play the full song.” Ghost laughed a little at the comment and johnny was mesmerized by the beautiful sound that he heard so rarely.
“Ah, do you still want to have the bath i promised you?” Ghost took a look at his watch, realizing that it was nearly midnight. He shook his head,”no, it’s late but we could catch up on it tomorrow? If the offer still stands?”
“Of course! we could have a nice dinner and make ourselves a nice evening.” Johnny was thrilled about the proposal.
-
After making some rough plans for tomorrow, they got ready for bed. Johnny was brushing his teeth in the attached bathroom, deep in his thoughts and not paying attention, when he suddenly felt two strong arms come around his waist and a broad chest being pressed against his back.
“What’re you thinking about?“ came the deep voice right next to his ear, chin being rested on his shoulder.
“Just about tomorrow and the fact that you’re on leave with me. It’s exciting” he said after spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing out his mouth.
“Mhm,” Simon hummed, nuzzling Johnny’s neck and lightly kissing up all the way to his jaw,”i’m excited too.”
He kept papering Johnny’s face and neck with kisses, nibbling at his jaw and throat, leaving soft red marks there.
“Let’s go to bed before you eat me alive here.”
“Mmmmmh” ghost let out a disagreeing groan, wanting to stay and relish in this peaceful moment.
Johnny chuckled, turning around in Simmons gripe so he was facing him and giving him a quick kiss in the lips.”Come on big boy. I can see that you are tired and I’m literately supporting half of your weight.” Ghost yawned, wordlessly admitting his defeat and slowly nodded, eyes already half lidded.
They shuffled into bed, Simon laying on his back with johnny on top of him. Soaps head was comfortably nested on ghosts chest, being able to her his steady beat of his heart was very shooting. Simons hands gently stroked up and down Johnny’s spine, making both feel relaxed and calm.
Not even twenty minutes later and both were sound asleep.