(He peers down at Johnny and not for the first time, he feels that familiar tightening twist in the pit of his chest. Even without memories, Johnny was still so Johnny.)
Wouldn't want you to get an ego.
(If Soap really knew how into his voice he was, it would be game over. Ghost wasn't usually a people person and he still wasn't, but Soap had become his exception. More than a comrade and better than any successful mission.)
Oh, Johnny. (He's smirking beneath his mask.)
Buttering me up and we're not even alone yet. Tempting fate today, are we?
(It didn't even matter if Soap couldn't actually see him. He's almost positive Soap would have said it even if he could see - probably insist upon it.)
You're lookin' like a piece yourself.
(He tugs Soap a bit closer, just because he can, and knocks their arms together. So, no, it wasn't just for the sake of guiding Soap. He moves forward with Soap, honestly looking forward to getting away from the base for a while. It doesn't take long to get boarded. It's the only time he really insists on getting Soap's bag for him, but mostly because he's already shoving his own up above.)
Let me get that. (Tugging at Johnny's back.) Get yourself strapped in.
[ Who would get an ego? Little old him? Yeah, that ship has sailed and they both know it. Sure, he doesn't know the extent, but he knows that Ghost's teasing means he does like the accent. Or, well, that's Soap's rationale for continuing to lay it on thick, anyway.
But as to tempting fate: ] You know it, LT. It's my favorite hobby.
[ Isn't that the truth. And though he chuckles at the compliment and easily let's himself get pulled in closer, he doesn't quite believe that he's looking all that fabulous. Johnny knows it's dumb to not trust the one guy out of them that can actually see with something visual, but he hasn't really felt all that good looking in a while. Partly because recovery has left him to not care as much, partly because of where he had gotten shot. Though, he has trailed his fingers (carefully) over the stitches just to get an idea of his new image.
Regardless, it's nice to hear, even if he thinks Ghost is just giving as good as he gets. ]
And I always look like a piece, but thank you.
[ Confidence will get him everywhere. Besides, he puts so much on Simon, he doesn't want to add the mental shit, too. This is definitely part of the mental shit. It's amazing to be self-aware.
He gives a dignified (in his opinion) squawk of protest when Simon tries to take his bag from him, and there's that knee jerk urge to turn into a child and start with the 'I can do it myself!' but he relents instead. Soap lets him take the bag without too much grumbling beneath his breath, mostly in good nature, before he goes ahead and climbs into the vehicle.
Weirdly enough, it's one of those things that he didn't think would translate into a smooth motion while blind but did. Like he's still trying to figure out how to properly navigate a dinner plate, but he hasn't had any issues with getting dressed, tackling staircases, or cleaning a Glock. In fact, he's extremely confident he could still drive but hasn't figured out a good enough argument to allow Simon to let him try yet. Point is, his training in the service has done wonders with transitioning him to this kind of life. Not that it's ideal.
Anyway, he straps himself in as told and laments not being able to see where they're going. He misses the countryside. And when Simon gets in: ] Have you been up to Scotland before? [ How had he never asked? ]
(Soap had seemed to get his rocks off plenty by crawling around under Ghost's skin. Then again, Ghost had let him from the get-go for some godforsaken reason. He refuses to acknowledge that it probably had to do with a simple but intense immediate attraction that swiftly turned into something deeper.)
Unfortunately, that's true. I think it's where you get most of your attitude from.
(Johnny did look worse for wear these days, but he didn't look bad. At least not to Ghost who had never been into clean-cut guys anyway. He himself had far too many scars to even spare a judging glance at Soap's newest addition. It doesn't even occur to him that Johnny could be struggling with his esteem on that front.
He scoffs at that squawk, jostling Johnny a bit for it, but he's glad the bastard lets it go. He's sliding in next to Soap soon enough, close enough to bump thighs. Always practically on top of him.
It probably would take some time for the driving thing.)
No. (He buckles himself in, leaning back and settling in for the ride.) Never had cause to go until now.
[ There goes Ghost again, saying his sweet things. Johnny smiled in his seat, soaking in that off-handed compliment. Not for the first time, he wondered what things had been like before, how Ghost must have looked at him, if he stared on occasion, what look was in his eyes.
That's a pit Soap tends to avoid, though, knowing he's not going to see Simon again and pretty sure he'll never really remember what he looked like. It used to not bother him, but the feeling tends to get worse just about every day. So, Johnny ignores it, as one does. He'd rather focus on the little compliment. And the brush of his thigh.
Johnny loves the contact Simon gives him. Not just for affection and comfort, but to ground him. With the blindness, he feels like he always needs to be grounded, and listening to the sounds of the world only goes so far. Sometimes it almost feels like a sensory deprivation chamber, like he's the only thing left in the world, like he really did die back there, but then Simon's hand reaches out and everything's good again. Soap refrains from just leaning over and flopping against him for now. Not while he's driving, anyway. ]
Really? Surprised I haven't dragged you up there kicking and screaming yet.
[ He honestly is surprised. It sounds like a lot of fun, never mind Simon just being home with him in general. But maybe Soap followed Simon on their time off. Or maybe they didn't have time off. It sounds like the bloke they were hunting, whatever bastard that shot him, had kept them busy. Johnny only knew enough to know that the situation had been complicated and difficult... But he does wonder how long he and Simon have been doing this. ]
You'll love it, LT. [ A beat. ] Even if you hate it, I'll definitely love it.
(Johnny would have known more about that than Ghost. Or maybe Gaz, honestly. Ghost remained oblivious to the ways he treated Johnny so differently, the ways that he always was looking, always reaching out in some way whether it was physically or verbally. Lately, it was always both.
It wasn't just Johnny who had lost something in all of this. Though Ghost was steady and calm with Johnny, he had some ugly nightmares that haunted him each night. He wasn't entirely sure how he was going to get away with that once they were in close quarters, but he figured he could just do his best to stave off sleep and figure something out. They had given him some medication to sleep with, but he didn't think that was all that better of an option.
There were a lot of things he knew he'd have to adjust to being in close quarters with Johnny. He was digging his own grave here and he knew it. He firmly had told himself he would only do this if he thought he could keep himself restrained and stay appropriate.
He snorts quietly.)
I've no doubt it was on your mind plenty before. We haven't had too many chances for a proper vacation.
(Not since everything had blown up in their faces.
He smirks under his mask.)
And if I don't? Will you make it up to me, Johnny?
[ Johnny wasn't naïve enough to hope that their close quarters situation was going to be as close as he'd like them to be. After all, they haven't even talked about them yet, though he'd already gotten the impression they rarely did before. Point is, while his focus is on not being disappointed over the most definite lack of activities on their first night (and probably week) together, he'd still notice if Simon wasn't sleeping.
Not that he has much room to talk. Soap can fall asleep, sure, but fuzzy nightmares wake him up too frequently for it to really be called sleep. The frustration of never being quite sure what the dreams were about didn't help either. So maybe they'd end up being a couple of cagey night owls together, but Ghost was going to have a hard time hiding that sort of thing from him.
Maybe harder than Johnny originally assumed, if that question was anything to go by. Perhaps he was being a little too hasty in his assumptions regarding the nature of their close quarters. Adrenaline junky he is, Johnny gets his own smirk on his face and bites his lip a little just thinking about it. Damn, flirting with this man was addicting. ]
You already know that, Simon. Believe I can think of some ways to go about it already.
Trust me. You'll be singing praises by the time I'm done with ya. [ Oh, if only. ]
(It is addicting and it isn't until Johnny responds with that that Ghost realizes that this whole thing might become a problem. They had only ever been able to do this sort of thing back on base or during a mission. Never had time to let the situation breathe. This is about when it occurs to him, rather sharply, that he is about to be completely alone with Johnny for the unforeseeable future.
His grip on the steering wheel tightens and he realizes he had absolutely no intention of stopping whatever might happen. Because he knew something might happen. He was almost positive. He may not be all that experienced when it came to these kinds of situations, but even Ghost realized that they flirted far more regularly than just some guys in the same unit blowing steam or passing time.
He certainly would never have accepted being spoken to like this by Gaz or anyone else. Plus, there was probably something morally off about sleeping with the man you're in love with while he was empty on memories and blind as a bat. Probably.
But he glances at Johnny and sees him biting his lip like that and it hits him like a freight train. Maybe it's wrong...But well...
He reaches a hand out and rests it on the uppermost part of Johnny's thigh, fingers hooked in, dangerously close to his groin. He gives Johnny a firm squeeze. Perhaps a gesture of silent promise. Or something. He doesn't know, but it felt right to do in the moment and it felt good to do. It was only a small fraction of the things he had imagined doing to Johnny.)
Naughty boy, you are. (His hand lingers, too close, too burning, and slowly he slides it away and back onto the steering wheel where his grip becomes white-knuckled.)
[ Entirely unlike every other time Ghost has touched him, this one is surprising. Not in a bad way, certainly not, but Johnny hadn't exactly expected the motion at all. Even as he holds his breath, his grin only grows sharper. The grip he has on whatever is near his hands at the moment is probably just a touch too tight and only noticed when Ghost's own hand begins to slip away.
He wants to grab that hand and keep it there, but he doesn't. Then he thinks to swipe it off the steering wheel or wherever it's at and put it back, but he still doesn't. Maybe it's because a part of him likes Simon being in charge, something that's probably not a big secret between them given their ranks. Or maybe it's because he's just as nervous as he is excited. After all, he doesn't remember what Simon likes, what he wants. He tells himself that this is just a learning opportunity, a little side adventure that they'll both enjoy until their usual path is found again. But that doesn't change how he doesn't want to remind Ghost of who he isn't anymore.
Thoughts like that are stupid, he admits. Besides, Ghost is still more than apparently into him. So, what is he worrying about again? ]
I'm a man of my word, Simon.
[ And he is, very much so. His grin stays sharp while he purrs through every syllable. Nerves or not, he wouldn't be the man he is if he ever let a little anxiety stop him.
So, being a little menace, his own hand reaches over and very innocently tucks a couple of fingers into the pocket of Ghost's jeans. And just. Stays there. Super innocent. Extremely not distracting in any way. His dumb smirk is no proof of anything. ]
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no subject
Wouldn't want you to get an ego.
(If Soap really knew how into his voice he was, it would be game over. Ghost wasn't usually a people person and he still wasn't, but Soap had become his exception. More than a comrade and better than any successful mission.)
Oh, Johnny. (He's smirking beneath his mask.)
Buttering me up and we're not even alone yet. Tempting fate today, are we?
(It didn't even matter if Soap couldn't actually see him. He's almost positive Soap would have said it even if he could see - probably insist upon it.)
You're lookin' like a piece yourself.
(He tugs Soap a bit closer, just because he can, and knocks their arms together. So, no, it wasn't just for the sake of guiding Soap. He moves forward with Soap, honestly looking forward to getting away from the base for a while. It doesn't take long to get boarded. It's the only time he really insists on getting Soap's bag for him, but mostly because he's already shoving his own up above.)
Let me get that. (Tugging at Johnny's back.) Get yourself strapped in.
no subject
But as to tempting fate: ] You know it, LT. It's my favorite hobby.
[ Isn't that the truth. And though he chuckles at the compliment and easily let's himself get pulled in closer, he doesn't quite believe that he's looking all that fabulous. Johnny knows it's dumb to not trust the one guy out of them that can actually see with something visual, but he hasn't really felt all that good looking in a while. Partly because recovery has left him to not care as much, partly because of where he had gotten shot. Though, he has trailed his fingers (carefully) over the stitches just to get an idea of his new image.
Regardless, it's nice to hear, even if he thinks Ghost is just giving as good as he gets. ]
And I always look like a piece, but thank you.
[ Confidence will get him everywhere. Besides, he puts so much on Simon, he doesn't want to add the mental shit, too. This is definitely part of the mental shit. It's amazing to be self-aware.
He gives a dignified (in his opinion) squawk of protest when Simon tries to take his bag from him, and there's that knee jerk urge to turn into a child and start with the 'I can do it myself!' but he relents instead. Soap lets him take the bag without too much grumbling beneath his breath, mostly in good nature, before he goes ahead and climbs into the vehicle.
Weirdly enough, it's one of those things that he didn't think would translate into a smooth motion while blind but did. Like he's still trying to figure out how to properly navigate a dinner plate, but he hasn't had any issues with getting dressed, tackling staircases, or cleaning a Glock. In fact, he's extremely confident he could still drive but hasn't figured out a good enough argument to allow Simon to let him try yet. Point is, his training in the service has done wonders with transitioning him to this kind of life. Not that it's ideal.
Anyway, he straps himself in as told and laments not being able to see where they're going. He misses the countryside. And when Simon gets in: ] Have you been up to Scotland before? [ How had he never asked? ]
no subject
(Soap had seemed to get his rocks off plenty by crawling around under Ghost's skin. Then again, Ghost had let him from the get-go for some godforsaken reason. He refuses to acknowledge that it probably had to do with a simple but intense immediate attraction that swiftly turned into something deeper.)
Unfortunately, that's true. I think it's where you get most of your attitude from.
(Johnny did look worse for wear these days, but he didn't look bad. At least not to Ghost who had never been into clean-cut guys anyway. He himself had far too many scars to even spare a judging glance at Soap's newest addition. It doesn't even occur to him that Johnny could be struggling with his esteem on that front.
He scoffs at that squawk, jostling Johnny a bit for it, but he's glad the bastard lets it go. He's sliding in next to Soap soon enough, close enough to bump thighs. Always practically on top of him.
It probably would take some time for the driving thing.)
No. (He buckles himself in, leaning back and settling in for the ride.) Never had cause to go until now.
no subject
That's a pit Soap tends to avoid, though, knowing he's not going to see Simon again and pretty sure he'll never really remember what he looked like. It used to not bother him, but the feeling tends to get worse just about every day. So, Johnny ignores it, as one does. He'd rather focus on the little compliment. And the brush of his thigh.
Johnny loves the contact Simon gives him. Not just for affection and comfort, but to ground him. With the blindness, he feels like he always needs to be grounded, and listening to the sounds of the world only goes so far. Sometimes it almost feels like a sensory deprivation chamber, like he's the only thing left in the world, like he really did die back there, but then Simon's hand reaches out and everything's good again. Soap refrains from just leaning over and flopping against him for now. Not while he's driving, anyway. ]
Really? Surprised I haven't dragged you up there kicking and screaming yet.
[ He honestly is surprised. It sounds like a lot of fun, never mind Simon just being home with him in general. But maybe Soap followed Simon on their time off. Or maybe they didn't have time off. It sounds like the bloke they were hunting, whatever bastard that shot him, had kept them busy. Johnny only knew enough to know that the situation had been complicated and difficult... But he does wonder how long he and Simon have been doing this. ]
You'll love it, LT. [ A beat. ] Even if you hate it, I'll definitely love it.
[ Because grumbly Simon was the best. ]
Sorry this took so long!
It wasn't just Johnny who had lost something in all of this. Though Ghost was steady and calm with Johnny, he had some ugly nightmares that haunted him each night. He wasn't entirely sure how he was going to get away with that once they were in close quarters, but he figured he could just do his best to stave off sleep and figure something out. They had given him some medication to sleep with, but he didn't think that was all that better of an option.
There were a lot of things he knew he'd have to adjust to being in close quarters with Johnny. He was digging his own grave here and he knew it. He firmly had told himself he would only do this if he thought he could keep himself restrained and stay appropriate.
He snorts quietly.)
I've no doubt it was on your mind plenty before. We haven't had too many chances for a proper vacation.
(Not since everything had blown up in their faces.
He smirks under his mask.)
And if I don't? Will you make it up to me, Johnny?
it's okay! sorry mine took awhile too ♥
Not that he has much room to talk. Soap can fall asleep, sure, but fuzzy nightmares wake him up too frequently for it to really be called sleep. The frustration of never being quite sure what the dreams were about didn't help either. So maybe they'd end up being a couple of cagey night owls together, but Ghost was going to have a hard time hiding that sort of thing from him.
Maybe harder than Johnny originally assumed, if that question was anything to go by. Perhaps he was being a little too hasty in his assumptions regarding the nature of their close quarters. Adrenaline junky he is, Johnny gets his own smirk on his face and bites his lip a little just thinking about it. Damn, flirting with this man was addicting. ]
You already know that, Simon. Believe I can think of some ways to go about it already.
Trust me. You'll be singing praises by the time I'm done with ya. [ Oh, if only. ]
♥
His grip on the steering wheel tightens and he realizes he had absolutely no intention of stopping whatever might happen. Because he knew something might happen. He was almost positive. He may not be all that experienced when it came to these kinds of situations, but even Ghost realized that they flirted far more regularly than just some guys in the same unit blowing steam or passing time.
He certainly would never have accepted being spoken to like this by Gaz or anyone else. Plus, there was probably something morally off about sleeping with the man you're in love with while he was empty on memories and blind as a bat. Probably.
But he glances at Johnny and sees him biting his lip like that and it hits him like a freight train. Maybe it's wrong...But well...
He reaches a hand out and rests it on the uppermost part of Johnny's thigh, fingers hooked in, dangerously close to his groin. He gives Johnny a firm squeeze. Perhaps a gesture of silent promise. Or something. He doesn't know, but it felt right to do in the moment and it felt good to do. It was only a small fraction of the things he had imagined doing to Johnny.)
Naughty boy, you are. (His hand lingers, too close, too burning, and slowly he slides it away and back onto the steering wheel where his grip becomes white-knuckled.)
Don't make promises you can't keep, Johnny.
no subject
He wants to grab that hand and keep it there, but he doesn't. Then he thinks to swipe it off the steering wheel or wherever it's at and put it back, but he still doesn't. Maybe it's because a part of him likes Simon being in charge, something that's probably not a big secret between them given their ranks. Or maybe it's because he's just as nervous as he is excited. After all, he doesn't remember what Simon likes, what he wants. He tells himself that this is just a learning opportunity, a little side adventure that they'll both enjoy until their usual path is found again. But that doesn't change how he doesn't want to remind Ghost of who he isn't anymore.
Thoughts like that are stupid, he admits. Besides, Ghost is still more than apparently into him. So, what is he worrying about again? ]
I'm a man of my word, Simon.
[ And he is, very much so. His grin stays sharp while he purrs through every syllable. Nerves or not, he wouldn't be the man he is if he ever let a little anxiety stop him.
So, being a little menace, his own hand reaches over and very innocently tucks a couple of fingers into the pocket of Ghost's jeans. And just. Stays there. Super innocent. Extremely not distracting in any way. His dumb smirk is no proof of anything. ]