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It's no secret to anyone that John Mactavish is devasted by the loss of one Simon Riley.
The two were obvious sweethearts to anyone that even looked their way.
The young beta and omega got on like a house on fire, their first interaction there seemed to be an almost audible click as they locked eyes for the first time.
It was from then that they spent more time together, training to become better and stronger soldiers while strengthening their relationship too. They had to make it seem somewhat more casual, if possible.
Of course they knew while being in the military, it was rare for their coupling to be a long term thing. Missions and injuries could rip that happiness away from them in a heartbeat. One of them could be discharged while the other had to carry on. They could be on mission together but not be able to get to the other in time to help them…
There were plenty of nightmarish scenarios that clouded their minds in their darker hours, but their incredibly mature approach to their coupling had diffused that in their early days. They would talk through their troubles, express what made them upset and then figure out a resolution if it needed it. Most of the time it was just reassurance they needed, which they both happily obliged the other with. To keep their own little piece of heaven to themselves.
But eventually that would be reclaimed…
It had been all talk for years and years, before Simon had even enlisted. Nothing good had ever come of higher ups talking about their opinions on the 'common folk' and everyone knew that even though most of the time they let things slide, this particular topic was different. In the higher ups' eyes, it took priority over other things that people desperately needed and would improve their livelihoods instead.
That particular topic completely ruined the bright future Simon and John had promised each other. It crushed their dreams of retiring together and living out their lives how they saw fit…
A law was passed.
'Due to the increased rarity of Omega, they must be mated to an Alpha by 30.'
They tried to find a clause, some kind of hole in the law but there was nothing. It was definite, absolute.
So they carried on as usual, tried to block out the inevitable future that laid before them. Their inivisible clock slowly counting down the days until they would have to seperate…
Only it came earlier than they thought. Much earlier than John imagined.
Simon was assigned a mission on another team. To infiltrate a cluster of abandonded buildings as it was thought to have been linked to enemy activity.
Whatever the teams had come across was never truly discovered. It was chalked up to be some kind of ambush with hidden mines littering the entire sector and lack of intel.
And Simon Riley never came back…
Even years later, John had never dated anyone else.
No one could come close to being Simon and no one ever would. That's what John's mind had decided since the day he was told the dreadful news that his other half was never coming back to him, never coming home.
Nothing changed when John became Soap.
Nothing changed when Soap was recruited to the 141 as the newest Sergeant.
He promised himself he'd never date anyone else and when his 30th birthday came, he'd fight tooth and nail to not be paired up with some prick that had a different second gender to him. If there was any way he'd be able to get out of the hellish fate that had been assigned to him, he'd make sure to find it and never let go.
He, and like most other Omega, were absolutely horrified by the law which resulted in multiple protests against it, throughout the few years it had been active for.
For Omega to be able to live their own lives freely in peace.
To be able to choose who they pair themselves up with or not and finally if they wanted to become parents to their children. It wasn't fair on them but in the eyes of the higher ups, the Omega had to mate with some Alpha prick they had never met before and then spend the rest of their lives together, because their population was dipping.
That wasn't his fault or any other Omega for that matter. If that was how it was going to be then they should just let that be and let nature takes it's course.
It had always sorted itself out before.
He and many Omega continued their own rebellion against the laws in their day to day lives.
Soap ignored the few letters he was sent through the post about a proposals. He didn't even have to open some of them. They were drenched in the scent of a desperate Alpha. He had no intention of entertaining them and most ended up in his bin still sealed.
Instead, he focused on the locket that rested just under his collarbones. An old heirloom that his Grandmother had given him before she'd passed.
"Keep a picture of your loved ones in here and they'll stay safe with you."
He toyed with it when he was nervous, held it behind his forefinger and thumb and rolled it back and forth whenever another letter came through the post.
He knew it wasn't ever going to happen, to every time he got another letter a small part of his mind hoped it would smell a certain way that haunted his dreams. A much weaker scent. A scent that used to calm him and could only be smelt if he was right up close to his special someone's neck in a tight embrace…
With the memory of the scent lingering in his mind, his hands would act on their own. They would pop open the clasp and the picture of a smiling man would stare back at Soap. A man with a slightly crooked smile and wild blond hair stared back.
It was a picture Soap knew all too well. He was the one that captured the moment after all. A happy moment between the two when they were both more naive and carefree. When they both held their future in their hands…
The few weeks before his 30th had swung by far too quickly for Soap's liking. He thought the years would give him enough time to find a hole in the law or some way of wriggling his way out of his and every other Omega's terrible fate.
A deep seated dread had made it's home inside him and it worsened when the number of letters slowly increased. The offers had flown in from all over. From other soldiers that tried to entice Soap with their higher ranks and that they were sure they could give him the 'pampering he deserved'. It made him sick.
He didn't even want to give them the satisfaction of replying and rejecting them, let alone toy with the idea of accepting.
They all felt like a contract, a way to sign his life and free will away with false promises. Which was so strange and ironic how his life had twisted and skewed the way it had. Being apart of the military felt like freedom compared to how he imagined he'd be kept as a trophy mate and would be merely used as a baby making machine.
Christ, he really didn't want that. He really really didn't want that... But his time was almost up and he hadn't found a way out…
Eventually, he became comfortable enough in his new team that he was able to hand over the letters to Price. He trusted his Captain enough to be in charge of opening and reading through the proposals. After all, that was the only post he had received since his 29th birthday.
Captain Price was a fellow Omega who had been happily mated for many years before Soap had the pleasure of meeting him. He hadn't had to go through a forced arrangement but had chosen to be with an Alpha anyway. He and Nik hadn't had any pressure to be together due to their second genders, they had naturally gravitated towards each other in the most organic ways possible. A 'true match' as it were.
Soap had felt sick to his stomach when he so much as looked at the envelopes of those damn letters.
When Price had noticed Soap's decrease in focus and discovered his increase in stress, he offered to help in any way that he could. Holding the letters was his only solution. That was how it started but then they both realised someone would need to read them…
They came to the agreement that it would benefit Soap if Price received the letters and read through them, to sift through the potential suitors and pick out the 'better' ones. It kept Soap at his (almost) peak performance while Price did background checks and asked Laswell to trace any of the rarer 'better' or more 'suiting' Alphas, which were far and few between.
It lessened the obvious anxiety that flared in Soap's mind but the nagging worry had made it's home in his head for years. He didn't want to waste time worrying about such nonsense but it was something that would impact the rest of his (potentially) miserable life. A decision that wouldn't just affect him for a couple of months and then resolve, no. It would impact him for the rest of his life and shape the path he would have to take, no matter what he wanted…
He went about his days with updates from Price. He tried to keep them short and to the point, he'd made the mistake of drawing it out early on and it only added cracks to the already poorly patched up mask that Soap regularly wore.
"Another today son, looks promising."
"Got a few today, but I've already said no."
"Nothing today Soap, I'll keep an eye out though."
Soap eventually just told Price to stop with the updates. As much as it was nice to know the Alpha that took interest were being ranked by his Captain, it was the fact that these people existed and barely knew anything about him. Probably only knew he was specops and that was all they wanted to know.
Gaz had tried to cheer him up about the whole thing but it was a massive sore spot that even his best friend couldn't soothe...
The chrematistic Alpha he had been close to since basic, would have been a perfect match in any one else's eyes. They'd always been around each other the first few years, like an invisible piece of string connected them. They'd always had a strong mix of fierce competitiveness and care radiate around them, which positively impacted the other fresh faces they were in the same group as. Not so surprisingly, their groups excelled in their training.
The two were split up when they were assigned to different squads after that, but eventually were reunited in the 141.
However, John had met Simon during their time apart and he had been dead set on the man.
Maybe they could have been a perfect match, in another lifetime. There was definitely a spark between the two.
Which was what continued but didn't burst into a full explosion. It was calm embers that glowed brighter when they were around each other, as they enjoyed each others company. It was embers that represented a strong friendship that no doubt would last as long as they both allowed it.
The day before his birthday was terrible.
He'd come back from a successful 2 week op, bone tired and had completely forgotten what day it was. He'd congratulated all the people he'd worked with and thanked them for their hard work. It was thanks to everyone's help that it went so smoothly.
He made his way back to his room but Price was already there by his door. Shit...
"Nice work out there Soap. Glad to have you back so soon and with only a few scrapes."
"'Course Cap. I learn from the best." He tried for a light tone but knew Price wasn't just there to boost his ego. He led the man into his room. Soap had just sat down to take his boots off when Price sighed.
"You know what day it is tomorrow, right?" Soap yanked off one of his boots and let it fall to the floor with a thud.
"Yeah, the day I'd like to have a bloody rest."
"John." Soap froze slightly and then sighed. He pulled at his laces and fumbled with the tongue of his boot. He didn't make eye contact.
"It's my 30th..."
"Right, which means you'll have to make a decision-"
"Which means, I have to sign my life away to some bawbag who wants me for what bullshit second gender I have, just so I can have their pups even if I don't want to!!" His voice raised as he finished his rant. He let the second boot fall to the floor and lifted his head up to pin Price with his desperate glare. His eyes glistened slightly. "Price please, there has to be some other way! Claim I've been a beta all this time or something!"
"Your records go against that, John-"
"Well maybe if I claim I'm defective?! No one will want that right? Then I won't have to be married off!" He breathed heavily, his eyes searched Price's sad expression. "Can't Laswell do something? Anything at all??" Price just shook his head slowly.
"I'm really sorry John. We've tried everything... But because you're highly capable and skilled, you've been high on the 'list', shall we say, of Omegas that have yet to be married off. There have been more letters than I imagined you'd get." Price paused, then said, "You put a target on your back son."
Price apologised that he couldn't do any more to help and left Soap with his thoughts.
Soap laid down on his bed, fully clothed. His birthday was never going to belong to him ever again. Instead it'd be the day he was forcefully 'sold off' to be someone's play thing. The words hit him hard. All the effort he had put in for himself and his future had invertedly caught the attention of many many unwanted eyes. The effort he put in for himself and to make his remaining family members proud, would then be stolen by some random Alpha he'd never met in his life.
He'd be a trophy for some alpha to parade around because he was high ranking- He gripped the duvet as a sudden worry sliced through him.
Would he be taken away from the military? From his actual family?
Fuck, it was going to be a long night...
He woke early in the morning and just laid in bed. He felt numb. He didn't want to move or do anything to bring him closer to the end of his free will... But eventually he knew he'd have to go through with it eventually. Best to get it over and done with… He dragged himself out of bed.
He stood in the shower with the temperature on high. He tried to wash away his thoughts in preparation to lose the rest of his own decisions. He dressed and made his way to Price's office. It was usually customary to dress up when attending important bond meetings, but he didn't dress himself up for the occasion. No one would know anyway. It'd only be him and Price. He was going to show everyone that he was still himself and would not be swayed or change the way he was. If that was the only way he could keep himself sane then he would. A little act of rebellion could eventually build into something greater. A small smirk ghosted the corner of his lips as he walked. Maybe there was hope.
He stepped into the office expecting an even worse mood to washed over him.. but it felt.. lighter?
Soap cautiously closed the door and remained standing. He greeted Price and then stayed silent, awaiting the news that he really didn't want to hear. Hopefully Price would get it over and done with quickly. Price was sat back in his chair when Soap entered the room. When Soap stood and made no move to sit, Price stood and sat against the desk with his arms folded.
"Right, I'll get right to it then." Soap held his breath. Who would be the one to own him then? What name would he be bound to for the rest of his life?
"I've dismissed all the applicants."
Who would he- wait, what?
"...what?" Soap's cold mask slipped. Price shrugged and he tried to hide a smirk. What was he playing at?
"I've dismissed all the letters I received for your potential partners."
"Why?" Soap was sceptical. He already had the conversation with him the night before and weeks in advance, begging him to figure something out. To find a way to break him from the fate he would ultimately have to follow through with... So what had changed?
"What happened? What's changed?" Soap challenged.
Price raised a brow and let the smirk take place on his face.
"You received a letter, more like a demand, noting that someone had already claimed you. It would have been years ago apparently," Price looked at Soap's confused expression and carried on to land the finishing blow. "and apparently you agreed..." Soap's calm demeanour broke away.
"I haven't ever been with an alpha! I've never agreed to that!" Soap barked. "I've never written that or said that to someone. I haven't been anywhere near someone since... Not since..." Soap looked to the floor.
"Since Simon, right?" Price finished the sentence for him.
"Right." Soap nodded and looked back up to his captain who raised his brow. "If you don't believe me, ask Kyle!" Price lifted up his hands in defeat.
"Alright okay, but that's what he said. Just had to make sure." Price folded his arms again and then carried on. "You'll meet him soon, seemed quite eager to meet you." Soap grimaced. "He's probably already on base actually, you can't miss 'im-"
The door of the office opened once again and both Price and Soap turned to who had interrupted.
A huge built body filled the doorway, a strong overwhelming aura of authority washed over Soap as he tried not to bow his head in compliance. He made sure to scan over the huge alpha.
He too wore military grade gear. His boots were almost the same as Soap's. His trousers were a very similar brand but a much larger size. The jumper he wore would easily swamp Soap... As Soap's eyes roamed further up, he spotted a few things that would definitely not pass regulation, but then again when had Soap listened to that? The gloves he wore had bone detailing and Soap wasn't sure if they were up to standard. What Soap was sure about though, was that the ridiculous skull mask he wore absolutely wasn't up to standard and he wasn't sure how the bloke was even allowed to walk around base with it on... He was interesting... Wait..
Soap shook his head slightly to rid his mind of those thoughts. He can't have his mind betray him after all this time being so against the idea of being 'married off' to some random bloke. Soap scoffed and looked back towards Price, turning his back to the alpha. He clenched the fist he held behind his back and tried his best to focus on Price's features, but the alpha purposely made enough noise for Soap to not be able to fully ignore him.
Soap watched Price's reactions as he watched the man enter the room and close the door. He didn't seem scared of the brute (it would have been very out of character for the captain to feel such a way) but there was something there that Soap couldn't understand.. A little glimmer in his eyes and a small curl at the corner of his mouth in amusement? It put Soap on edge. Price had always made his opinion of the arranged marriages obvious from when Soap joined the task force. He always told Soap he had his full support and if there was a way for him to get out of it, they'd find it. Wasn't this the complete opposite??
Soap tightened his grip on his fist. He felt a burning fury flare up inside him and it didn't help that he could sense the alpha's scent leak further into the room.
Ugh, the strong and overbearing smell of an alpha. Scents of metals and gunpowder and anything that linked to things that smelt like a 'protector'. Soap couldn't care less. He audibly coughed and then breathed out of his mouth making it clear as day that he wasn't interested in the smells that began to clog the room. Price looked back to Soap and raised a brow. He knew what the Scott was doing.
Price greeted the alpha but Soap didn't bother to turn. Instead he wanted to show how little he really cared by pulling out the locket that usually hid under his shirt. He held it out in front of his and swept a thumb over the top. He heard what sounded like a breath hitch from behind him but he didn't bother turning. Oh dear was the alpha already jealous. Damn bloody shame.
Soap inspected the small detailed engravings over the cover that had worn down from use and then popped it open. His heart instantly fluttered at the sight of his beloved. He dearly missed Simon, his Simon. They were meant to be together. They were so sure they wanted to be each other's forever that they had made a pact. One where they'd both be reported KIA.. One where they'd escape documents, watchful eyes and finally live their lives freely...
Only Simon was the only one who went KIA on a solo mission that Soap didn't have any clearance on knowing the details for... He didn't realise he'd accidentally released happy scents while he daydreamed about his lover until an overwhelming scent of metals seeped in.
Soap scoffed, snapped the locket closed and put it back inside his shirt. This was why he preferred betas. No bullshit of trying to be the most powerful in the room and no need for pushing out scents that smelt like overused guns or other shite he had to deal with daily. Why would that be appealing to him in the slightest? Because he was military? Yeah good one. Soap in return cut off any other sweeter scents from being released, he couldn't let them be wasted on some dickhead. They should be saved for Simon or the comfort of Soap's room.
Price cleared his throat. He could tell Soap was trying to fight back in his own way and he wasn't going to stop him, but he needed to explain the process and plan that was going to be implemented.
"Right, well this is the best we'll get so I'll make it quick. Soap, this isn't necessarily the best birthday gift but it was the best arrangement I could figure out for you both." Price looked from Soap to the side of him, where the alpha presumably stood. "You may not agree with my decision at first but you'll understand why I did it."
Soap kept the restraint of rolling his eyes, only just. Price could tell he wanted to by the way the sergeant twitched. "You'll go back to a shared room where you can talk, introduce yourselves and what not. Just make sure you keep it civil." Price scratched his forehead. "You're to keep professional when on base and in front of your peers." Soap perked up at that.
"Sir, does that mean I'll- we'll remain on base?" He tried not to overflow with anger as he corrected himself, but there was a hint of hope that he'd stay where his true family was.
Price gave him a soft look. "That's correct Soap, you'll be staying here." Soap audibly sighed and his shoulders sagged ever so slightly. He didn't realise he was so wound up and ready to snap. He'd subconsciously prepared to hear that he would be locked away that it was a huge relief to know he would continue his work that he'd worked extremely hard for. The reason he was probably sought out so desperately. He thought that he'd be ripped away to never feel the thrill of the adrenaline pump through his veins and be by his comrades sides...
Price huffed a little. "Looks like I'll need to assign you more work though sergeant, if you're relaxing like that." Soap straightened up again. "You'll keep your rank and place here as a valuable member in the 141."
"Thank you sir." He hid the excitement from his voice but he couldn't help the happy scents that came off him. He would still have his life!! ... He'd just have to deal with one huge extra person in his life.
"However..." Oh right, there had to be a downside to this whole thing. "There will be a new addition to the task force." Price nodded towards the alpha.
Huh?
"Ghost here will join us as your lieutenant. I'm sure this will make the transition into living together and getting to know each other a little easier as it will be a requirement to interact daily." Price narrowed his eyes at Soap.
"It'll give you time to talk about everything and figure out what you want from this union." Price shifted his gaze to Ghost. If Soap didn't know him as well as he did, he would have missed it. But he knew Price's raised brow and the vein that tensed in his forehead, meant he was keeping something in the dark. Of course that was apart of Price's job but it was something directly linked to their coupling. Something to do with the huge alpha named Ghost he was bound to.
Soap chanced a glance at Ghost and immediately regretted it. Soap's eyes locked onto large brown eyes that stared right through him. There was something familiar about them. They were guarded and cold but there was an odd softness to them. Something that alphas surely couldn't possess. It wasn't anything like he'd seen before. Every alpha he'd unfortunately encountered had a terrible glint in their eyes. They always looked down at him or like he was a prize to be won. It always made Soap's skin crawl but he never let them know. He wouldn't let them win. He'd seen a similar soft look in Gaz's eyes after a mission well done as they celebrated. The familiar softness of a beta's gaze...
"Soap?"
"Yes sir?" Soap whipped round to look back at the captain.
"We'll need to go through the paperwork tomorrow but I'll let you two get comfortable first." He had a devilish smirk. "Well, not too comfortable..."
Soap bristled. He wasn't sure what Price was expecting or why he was smirking but he was definitely hiding something about the alpha. He'd already kept the fact that the alpha was also eligible to join the team. There was something more to 'Ghost'
Soap trailed behind Ghost down the halls to their shared accommodation. The lights were blocked out by his massive body as they marched towards their destination that Ghost only knew the location of. Soap snuck glances at his back, just how much muscle was on this guy?
He almost crashed into Ghost's back as he suddenly stopped. "... we're here..."
Oh. That was the first time Soap had heard Ghost speak. He sounded softer than any alpha he'd heard before. Like a beta's soft soothing tone with slight jagged edges. It didn't fit a beta nor an alpha.
Soap was becoming more confused and wary. Were these tricks that Ghost had learnt to lure Soap into a false security? He'd gain Soap's trust by acting like a beta and then ruin everything by pulling the rug out from beneath him and reveal his real cruel self??
He entered the room behind Ghost, watching his every move for any sudden movements. He'd weighed up his chances against Ghost. The bloke was huge but if Soap could get the right hit in, he could have the upper hand. Just in case anything happened...
He made sure to always face Ghost and not to give him any chance of an upper hand. He wasn't all too sure whether Ghost would take it but he had to be cautious. He couldn't freely trust an alpha. Especially not one that he was suddenly bound to. Ghost would have to earn that, if that was even possible...
The room was bigger than the normal ones on base. It has enough room for two desks, a spacious en suite and... A double bed. Soap grimaced but perked up when he spotted a comforter to the side. He called dibs. He was dead glad he had the chance at a little self preservation. But other than that he was on his own. He had no outside help inside the room. Just him and Ghost.
So before Ghost could lay down any rules or demand anything from him, Soap took the chance to speak first. He crossed his arms and squared his shoulders, ready for anything.
"Right." Soap started, Ghost turned to look at him, giving his full attention. He was definitely different. "I dunno what you think you'll get from me and this bullshit 'union'." He was not going to say marriage, "but I'm not gonna just roll over and give you whatever you want. I won't just give you what you want just because you raise your voice or do some bullshit with your scent."
Admittedly he had no idea how it worked but he had heard stories. He was sure he could work against it... "I don't even know you, never met you before, so I'm not going to give you anything. Alright?" Soap raised a brow, cocked his head to the side and puffed his chest out. "You've really wasted your time with picking me." He flashed a devious smile. He'd waste Ghost's time if that's what it took to keep his own agency. He'd rather die than rely on some meat headed alpha...
Ghost tilted his head slightly, almost in question. His eyes roamed over Soap, pining him under his watchful gaze. Soap resisted the urge to fidget.
"You think I've wasted..." He trailed off in thought, then started a new sentence. "The locket... Are you waiting for someone?" Soap was confused by the question. Why would that matter now? Why would he care? Soap blinked and gripped his arms tight. It must be some kind of tactic to pretend to be nice and seem like he actually cared. Oh well, he'd bite and play along.
"...I'm not waiting for him. He's dead." Ghost winced, an odd reaction for such a huge man.
"My condolences."
"I don't need your pity, mate." Soap replied coldly, but then why stop there? If he had to spend all of his time with this man he might as well just spill. Maybe revealing how hopelessly bound to the man in the locket, would get Ghost rethink everything and leave him alone? "We were meant to be together, y'know? I had this idea of running away with him but he was too clever, knew that my idiotic plan would never work and had too many holes that wouldn't make sense and we'd be found out."
"...why did you feel the need to make a plan like that? Couldn't you just request to become a bonded pair?" Soap scoffed and shook his head. He'd left out the most vital information by accident.
"It wouldn't have worked. He was a beta..." Soap looked at Ghost for a reaction but the alpha had frozen on the spot. Maybe it hit a pressure point in Ghost...? Best keep going then... "I had a plan, I talked it through with him too. He only wanted it to be a last resort, it was too risky... Told him we could somehow be reported KIA on a mission... We could start our lives over, away from anyone else. No one would find out!...."
"Oh...Johnny...." A tiny voice whispered. Soap whipped his head to pin Ghost with a glare.
"What did you just call me?"
Ghost stood stone still. "... nothing. Must have been thinking about your beta too much..." Soap still glared at him in confusion. No one had called him that for years, he didn't allow it. Instead he reached down for the locket. He held it in his hand and ran his thumb over it.
It soothed him and he released scents of nostalgia and bittersweet aromas. Scents that brought on memories of their time together. Sunflowers in a field, wafts of evenings by the sea in their snippets of downtime.... Soap clutched the locket to his chest, unaware of Ghost being hit by the scents full force... He slumped to his knees and breathed deeply.
"Fuck..."
Soap blinked out of his soft haze of memories to see Ghost knelt down. "Ghost?" Soap let the locket rest above his shirt as he turned to the man.
"... you've waited for so long..."
Soap just stood there confused. "...You waited for so long and didn't even move on?" Soap looked disgusted at the suggestion.
"Why the fuck would I?"
"You could have saved yourself the pain and found someone else, rather than live in memories." Ghost breathed heavily. "You could have made more memories, lived your life to the fullest...! Why didn't you?-"
"BECAUSE I LOVE HIM!! THAT'S FUCKING WHY!!" Soap screamed. "HE WAS THE ONLY ONE I WANTED AND EVER WILL AND HE WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM ME!" Soap's shoulders shook. He grabbed the locket and opened it to reveal a smiling man inside. "HE WAS THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO ME AND I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT HE DID FOR ME." Ghost's eyes widened and he stared at the picture. Soap heaved another breath. "HE WAS TAKEN FROM ME. SIMON RILEY WAS TAKEN FROM ME!!!"
Soap let the tears burn as they rolled down his face. He watched as Ghost's eyes hazed over and he just stared at the picture. He saw tears glisten in the alpha's eyes and then disappear down his mask covered face. He didn't realise the scents he had released would have been that effective on such a huge brute but he guessed it did the trick. Now the alpha would know that Soap would never be romantically attracted to him or even remotely interested. It would be purely a contact that bound them, nothing more-
A sob tore Soap from his thoughts. "Johnny.."
Soap grew more angry. "Stop calling me that!!"
"...you waited..."
"You don't get to judge me!!"
"...you shouldn't have done that..." Ghost put his head in his hands.
"Why not?? What else was I to do??"
Ghost gripped at the mask as he sobbed. "I- he didn't deserve that.."
"what would you know about what Simon deserved?!! How dare you say that!?" Soap knelt down, daringly close to Ghost and bared his teeth. Soap wanted to yank Ghost's head back and claw at his face until he'd need the mask as a replacement for his skin. How dare he try and insult his Simon like that. He never met Simon, never knew the amazing things he had achieved. He'd never get to see how the man glowed!! How dare he even think he knew what was best for him! How dare he-
Soap stopped in his tracks and fell back on his butt...
Ghost had ripped away his mask in the time that Soap had ranted at him and raised his head like a wounded dog to look up at Soap.
Those eyes...
He knew them...
They haunted his dreams and every peaceful waking hour of his day... He saw them every night and when he woke... He saw them every time he looked at the previous man in his locket...
Soap gasped. "...no...I..." Ghost just stared at him. He didn't bother to cover his face or the streams of tears that mixed with the eye black that ran down his cheeks. He looked a mess, his hair a ruffled mop.
He knelt before Soap like a pathetic mutt. The complete opposite of an alpha... Ghost just continued to silently cry, he had no words. Soap's eyes roamed over Ghost's face. He wasn't the exact copy anymore, no. There were new scars littered over his face. Deep cuts that would never heal. Raised skin peaked out from the side of his neck, a burn scar perhaps?
Soap's heart raced... What the fuck? His mind was confused but his heart told him to move closer, to confirm it properly... He took Ghost's chin and lifted his face to inspect his eyes further...
Soap looked into deep whiskey. Deep whiskey with honey flecks... Blonde eyelashes framed those beautiful eyes and freckles dusted across his nose... One that was no longer perfectly straight but crooked from God knows what... A scar that cut from his cheek through his lips from a helicopter blade that had ripped right through his mask, yet had stopped just before it caused any major damage… but... Soap knew him.
Soap knew that face...
"....Simon?.." Soap asked with a shaky breath. "Simon...love....is that you?..." Ghost sobbed again but slowly nodded. Without thinking, Soap brought his arm around Ghost and embraced him. He held him tightly as the man sobbed and gripped onto Soap's shirt.
"I'm sorry Johnny... I'm sorry..." Ghost gasped between sobs.
Soap rubbed circles into Ghost's back as he sobbed into Soap's chest. He didn't really know what to do. Simon... Was alive?? But how?? He sat there and gently comforted Ghost or Simon... How did he survive? He was reported KIA....
"....how?" Soap said, just quietly enough for Ghost to hear.
"...I did it for us Johnny..." He nuzzled into Soap, his words muffled.
"Did what?" Ghost leant back and looked up at Soap. His heart jumped into his throat.
"It worked... We can be together without any bullshit now."
Soap looked confused. "..what do you mean it worked? Of course we can be together, you're back now and I won't let you go no matter the bullshit regulations. But how did you manage to smell and look like an alpha...? How did you-"
"I am an alpha now Johnny..."
"..what? But- but how? That's not possible..?" Soap held Ghost's face in his hands.
"...it is possible.. just about..." Ghost huffed what was meant to be a laugh but it sounded more like a caught sob.
"What do you mean just about? Wait... Simon, these scars..?"
Tears trickled down his face, over Soap's fingers as his lips turned into a lopsided sad smile. "...it was worth it.. you waited for me... You don't have to marry some prick alpha now...." Simon blinked and sucked in a breath. "Unless you change your mind... But you can do what-"
"No!" Soap said firmly. "No.."
"...No?... I uh understand, Johnny..." Tears fell more but then Simon gasped as a light pressure pressed against his forehead. Johnny kissed him...
"No, Simon." He pinned Simon with his gaze. "I don't want anyone else... Only you, always you..."
"I don't deserve you Johnny..." They remained embraced on the floor for a long time.
Simon revealed the horrors he had faced during the time he was experimented on and eventually turned into an alpha. He was sure he'd died multiple times over but he always heard Johnny's voice like a lighthouse in the deep fog, a guiding light he'd always follow without question. It always brought him back when he was on the brink of giving up, reminding him what he had to live for... And finally he came back to that. To him.
Johnny told Simon how there was no one else in his life. He never moved on and never wanted to, so he trained harder and stronger. The same techniques Simon used, to keep his spirit alive and well. He said he wanted to be like Simon one day as a joke but he clung onto those words desperately. He became a living reminder of the man he thought he'd lost and shared some of his techniques with others to keep those brave soldiers alive and well too.
He knew that's what Simon would have wanted.
The next day, the union between Sergeant Mactavish and Lieutenant Riley was finalised under Captain Price's watchful eye. Sergeant Garrick was there to be a witness, as well as to finally meet the man Soap had harked on about and forcefully shown him the the locket picture, over the years.
There was a small celebration, only a few people were invited as not many people would understand how important the reunion truly was. Laswell being one of them. Nikolai, Roach and the Task Force were all of the participants and they happily enjoyed each other's company. But not quite as much as Johnny enjoyed Simon's company again.
The two kept things professional even in front of Price and Gaz, what they had they'd keep to themselves. It was far too precious to share with anyone else.
Price and Gaz got used to the longing stares and soft touches they shared when they thought no one was looking. They made sure the other soldiers on base didn't stare, lest they want an angry feral omega snarl at them or a beta learning to be an alpha, tear them apart.
The two were let off as they had all those years to catch up on. Anyone who knew Soap saw how the man had become so much brighter and more free since the huge alpha had been paired up with him. If only they knew just how much they meant to each other.
A union didn't always mean the pair would get along... But with Johnny and Simon, they were bound for all eternity, two halves reunited. And nothing would tear them apart again.