Chapter Text
As Soap got comfortable in the new safe house he and his men were at for the foreseeable future. The soldiers he was commanding had gotten him to join a game of cards and he was currently wiping the floor with them much to their annoyance. They accused him of cheating but couldn't prove it (he was) making bombs for a living makes you fast with your hands. As time slowly passed eventually the soldier on guard spoke up, “Uhh Sarg we got company.” Soap jumped up and instructed the soldiers to prepare for a fight as he made his way to the door.
As he stood by the door preparing for a fight a knock sounded, but Soap didn't respond he just waited. Another knock this time with a voice, “Sergeant open up I know you're in there.” Soap's men shared a confused look as Soap laughed. While laughing Soap opened the door while holstering his gun. “Ye could have gone to our com channel LT no need tae scare us.”
The Man on the other side of the door filled the doorway with his sheer size. Ghost it was ‘The Ghost’ skull mask and all the soldiers inside the house shifted nervously, but Soap seemed unbothered.
“Where's the fun in that Johnny?” The deep and rough manc accent permeated the house. It was a voice that spoke of authority and competence. The soldiers were sure even on an active battlefield that voice would be clear. The accent would make a lesser man less intimidating, but on Ghost, it was the opposite. Then the name caught the other soldier's attention ‘Johnny’ no one called the sergeant that.
They waited for Soap to snap back, he was never afraid of authority from what they'd seen, but Soap didn't bat an eye, just smiled. “Bastard.” Soap said, sounding fond, “Well what brings ye here LT?” Ghost rolled his eyes. “I'll tell you once you let me and my men in.” Soap rolled his eyes back but stepped to the side, “Well how am I supposed tae know you got men I canae see past you ye bampot.”
Ghost shook his head slightly, “English MacTavish.” Soap snarled, “YE KIN THAT ONE.” Ghost ignored the scot as he allowed his men inside and took a place next to MacTavish. “My men and I have a nearby mission unrelated to yours. We are stayin until nightfall.” Soap pouted lightly as he looked up at Ghost. “How long will it take?” Soap asked eyebrows furrowed and Ghost met his eyes as he answered, “A week.”
Soap's face twisted in confusion and anger, “And I’m nay helpin?”. Ghost shook his head in the negative to which Soap scoffed. Ghost cuffed the Sergeant's head in reprimand. “Don't Johnny, it's fine.”
“It is nay!” Soap shot back and in answer, Ghost pulled Soap into his side.
The now mixed group of soldiers watch on in shock; it's well-known Ghost doesn't like touch. He doesn't initiate it and he doesn't accept it unless absolutely necessary, but here he is pulling a mouthy sergeant into him. Then said sergeant who is known for his distaste for authority and quick temper melts into the myth of a man.
“I'll be ok Johnny.” Ghost states with enough authority that the universe will have to bow to his statement.
“Ye swear it, Simon?” Soap asks as he desperately searches the other man's eyes for any hint of a lie.
“Mhionnaich mi, m' anam,” Simon responds while holding eye contact.
The surrounding soldiers are sharing bewildered looks. What the hell was going on? Ghost pushes Soap to arm's length and scans his body. “Are yous urt'?” Soap snorts and like that, the moment's over, “Nay was a milk run.” Ghost nods to himself and he lets Soap go. With that Ghost turns back to his men, “Don't get too comfortable, we'll be on the move soon, but meanwhile make some friends you never know when it will come in andy.”
Soap smiles while shaking his head, “He isnae wrong make friends it could save er life.”
The soldiers did just that, but the bonding mainly consisted of speculating on Ghost and Soap. The combined knowledge of everyone had some questions answered. For one they were on a team together Task Force 141 and Soap was Ghost’s sergeant. However, that still left much to be desired, but before they could discuss more Soap and Ghost re-entered the room from where they stepped away to talk to command.
“Wannae play cards with us LT?” Soap asked with a raised eyebrow. Ghost scoffed, “I don't play with cheaters Johnny.” Soap feigned offense as he placed a hand over his heart, “Are ye accusing mae of cheating how dare ya.” Ghost rolled his eyes and now that he was closer the gathered soldiers could see they were different colors: the right blue the left brown. “Yes, I am because you do cheat just no one can prove it.”
Soap pursed his lips but didn't say anything. Ghost made his way to the couch and its current occupants scuttered to the floor, and Ghost took a seat. Soap grabbed a journal from somewhere on his person and made his way over to Ghost. Soap sat on the floor between Ghosts now spread legs and opened his journal.
As Soap did whatever he was doing in the journal The gathered soldiers began to ‘play’ cards while the others 'talked’ to one another. In reality, they were all trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
After around an hour Soap began to shift uncomfortably. Ghost's mask shifted as if raising an eyebrow. Soap without even looking up answered the unspoken question. “Ass hurts.” Ghost blinked slowly, “You’re a knob.” Ghost tells him before grabbing his shoulders and bodily hauling him up onto the couch next to him. Soap splutters his cheeks going pink but doesn't protest. The other soldiers in the room watch on stunned.
Soap molded himself to the lieutenant’s side and continued in his journal now speaking softly to Ghost. Over the next hour, things continued like that until it was Soap’s turn on watch. The current soldier on watch came back in telling him it was time for his turn and Soap went to get up. He was however stopped in his tracks as Ghost’s arm wrapped around his waist keeping him in place.
Soap had a small smile on his face but turned to the lieutenant, “Wake up Si I ave tae go on watch.” The soldiers from around the room did a double take looking at Ghost's face and yep his eyes were closed. Soap asked again to be let go and this time Ghost responded….well kinda, “I swear down stop mitherin.”
Soap blinked, “English Riley.” Soap requested with a smile. “Go do one.” Ghost grumbled back arm still snug around Soap. Ghost looked around for a moment before looking at one of his men, “Yous you're on watch now.” The soldier was quick to scurry out and do just that to avoid the lieutenant's anger.
With watch sorted, Ghost closed his eyes once more pulling Soap to his side and this time the sergeant didn't fight it.
Soon both men were asleep.
oO0Oo
Dud an Irish private looked over to another private Crow. “What is going on?” Dud asked, confused. Crow pursed her lips, “They're fucking.” She answered her Welsh accent thick with surety. Across from them another private, Shadow, choked on air.
“Nay it's more than that.” A Scottish voice commented from behind. They turned to Sergeant Havoc who had come with Ghost. “Why’d ye say tha? Crow asked with a raised eyebrow. Havoc pursed her lips, “He called Soap m' anam it means my soul.” Backfire another private wiped around, “So I wasn’ay hearing things.”
Dud blinked hard for a moment, “Wait, wait wait that explains so many rumors.” He muttered to the group at large. “Explains what?” The others question. Dud explains, “I always hear rumors back at base from someone who had seen Ghost on the field, said he had an other half said it was a sergeant. Said the sergeant was scarier than Ghost genuinely mental. Said he was the perfect partner that they didn't even need to talk just meet eyes and then could execute a whole mission.”
The others shared looks as pieces fell into place, Backfire spoke up, “Was he scarier than Ghost?” Soap’s team members shared a look, “I mean he isn't sane but I wouldn't particularly call him scary, but granted it was an easy mission.” Crow answered with a shrug. The small group chatted until the sun began to set.
Suddenly Ghost was shaking Soap awake and the group went silent as they watched. “Up Johnny exfil will be ear' soon.” Soap grumbled but got up. Soon he and his men were ready to go giving their goodbyes to their new friends and soon a Russian voice announced his incoming for pick-up over coms.
As the plane landed Soap ordered his men to load up. Once they were all in they looked back to their sergeant who was hugging Ghost. Soap pulled back before pulling Ghost down to his height and kissing him through the mask. As Soap pulled away spit continued to connect them, Soap licked his lips before speaking. With that, he turned and also loaded onto the plane.
Dud, Crow and Shadow share wide-eyed looks with the other soldiers but remain silent. Soap picks up on it, raising an eyebrow before asking, “What? Canae I kiss my husband goodbye?”