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Ghost had never gone to pride.
Even if he’d have wanted to, there is no way in hell his father would’ve let him. So he’d never had the chance to.
He’d heard a few friends talk about it over the years though. Ones that’d either gone themselves or who knew someone who had. The latest of which was Soap, who had surprisingly been to a few queer events and would gladly talk about them when he got the chance to.
Ghost almost found himself feeling envious. He'd never really thought much of it until Soap gushed about how much he’d loved it. He found that he weirdly wanted that experience. Whether it was because he’d never had that kind of community or if it was just plain bad childhood and missing out on fun memories, he didn’t know.
—
“Simon!” Soap called from the bathroom.
He hummed back in response as he sifted through his clothes drawer.
“Come ’ere!” Soap ran his hands through his hair, forming it with a pomade.
Ghost leaned into the bathroom, braced forward against the door frame, “What?”
“How would you like to go to that pride event with me ‘n the other two? I know y’haven’t been, so, since the time between away missions seems to match up, why don’t you come along?”
He looked at Ghost through the mirror as he went about brushing his teeth.
Ghost stood there kinda shocked.
He hadn’t expected this. Sure, if he had paid more attention when the group had that conversation a couple days ago, he might’ve expected this a bit more. But here he was.
He couldn’t deny the pull to say yes, but he was cautious to accept. He didn’t think he’d be much of a good fit there, as big and intimidating as he was.
Soap spit out his toothpaste, swishing water before spitting that as well, “Y’don’t have to answer now. There’s still a couple o’ weeks before then, so just think about it”
Ghost hummed, “Okay”
Soap nodded at him through the mirror before turning, kissing his cheek, and walking past him back into the bedroom.
Simon smiled and shook his head as he started his own morning ritual.
—
Later that night he stood in front of the sink, towel wrapped around his waist as he looked in the mirror. A light finger was run along the thick line of scar tissue on his chest that’d brighted in colour after his shower. His thoughts drifted to what he might be like now if he’d had the experiences and people that Soap did during his youth. If he hadn’t been alone in his transition and had some sort of support system behind him. If he’d had that community.
He huffed a sigh, pushing through his thoughts before they crossed the line between curiosity and self-pity, and walked out of his bathroom.
He flopped face down onto his bed, thinking about Johnny’s offer as he laid there.
A pride event.
One that he’d be attending with the only people he’d actually been comfortable enough with to let in on his identity (both the queer and the regular one).
What a thought that was…
—
A couple days later, he walks into the mess hall like normal. He grabs his food and walks over to their usual table, where Soap is already sitting.
He sits down across from the sergeant,
“Okay”
Soap looks up from his food, “Okay…what?”
“I’ll go with you” he muttered.
Soap looked confused for a while before his eyes lit up with recognition.
“Really?!” A smile broke out widely on his face.
“Yeah… I’ll go” he averted his eyes, shifting under the excited look directed at him.
“Yes!” He fist pumped in celebration, causing Ghost to shake his head fondly.
—
Ghost wasn’t exactly sure whether Gaz and Price were there because they were also queer, or if it was just for the hell of it. His “gay-dar”, as Soap had put it, wasn’t functional enough to figure it out apparently.
The two had worn rainbow stuff, but it seemed like everyone there did whether they were queer or not.
Gaz had switched his usual baseball cap for one with a flag on the front, and Price chose a rolled up bandanna for around his neck.
Ghost himself had been nudged into wearing something pride related, so he reluctantly chose to switch his usual half skull mask for an ace themed one.
It wasn’t his first choice, that being that he’d just go in his normal getup, but it was fine. For Soap, he could deal with the change.
And the man in question was decked out. Soap had chosen to wear a black fishnet shirt with a bisexual coloured fashion harness overtop. He paired that with black pants that had a coloured stripe down the side and black combat boots laced with pink laces.
His explanation when Ghost had asked was that he rarely had an opportunity to have fun with his clothes, so he took it.
Which was fair, in Ghost’s opinion.
And he sure as hell wasn’t gonna complain when he got to admire his partner like this.
“Welcome to pride, boys!” Soap grinned at them as he spread his arms out.
Ghost huffed fondly, watching him spin back around to lead them about.
—
They walked around the event, looking through the tables of vendors and watching various drag performances.
Soap had bought him a little crocheted ghost keychain, grinning wide while he handed it over. He rolled his eyes and stuffed it in his pocket, feigning annoyance (He’d never admit to later keeping it on his civvie backpack).
They also watched the parade when it was time. Ghost got slightly overwhelmed by how loud the crowd got along with whatever music was playing from various vehicles.
Soap stood behind him on a step and cupped his hands over Ghost’s ears.
He tilted his head back to look up at him and got a bright, very love filled, smile in return. Soap kissed his forehead and grinned before turning his attention back to the parade. Ghost felt a warmth fill his chest at the simple, yet thoughtful gesture. He felt seen and understood in a way he usually doesn’t. And it wasn’t uncomfortable, it was surprisingly soft and relieving.
—
Price and Gaz had called the day earlier than the other two, claiming they’d need more rest after their day out. Whether that was just an excuse or not was something Soap and Ghost debated about as they later sat in a quiet park.
Ghost had taken off his mask by this point and was just gazing over at Soap; who was looking up at the clear, star filled sky with a look of awe.
Stars and shit had apparently been something that Soap was really into when he was younger. So much so that he’d regularly go out and just sit under the stars late into the night.
He’d just finished recounting a story of when he’d done just that, and when he returned home, he was greeted with his very annoyed mother. The laugh he’d let out from that was still visible on his lips as he smiled up at the stars.
He looked beautiful.
Simon found himself softly gazing at Soap. The only thing in his mind was Johnny’s features; his general side profile, soft lips, slightly curved nose, and big blue eyes.
He turned to look at Ghost, a soft expression on his face.
“Thank you for coming with us today. I’m glad you got to see it”
“Me too, Johnny”
He knew what Soap meant. He knew what he’d responded wasn’t really to what he’d said (even though Soap was none the wiser). But he couldn’t help himself imagining the wide smile on the man’s face throughout the day; his happiness and excitement practically palpable.
He was glad he got to see that. A free energy that was different from what he had in the field. It wasn’t an almost feral grin full of adrenaline and the high of whatever explosion he’d just detonated. It was one of stressless joy and something so purely Johnny. The Johnny that existed before the world of the SAS got their hands on him.
When he’d think about this day later, that genuine smile was the only thing he’d really clung onto. The only thing his mind had decided was important enough to easily remember.