Chapter 20:
"Ghost, focus!" Soap shook his shoulder and grinned. "Honestly, do I need to separate you from Roach?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
A week had passed since he'd confessed to Roach and he was having trouble thinking about anything else. He was trying to spend every available moment with the other man and when they weren't together Ghost couldn't shake him from his head.
Maybe he should've waited until after the assault on Makarov but too late now.
"Seriously, get your head in the game." Soap pushed a floorplan of the hotel in front of him. "We're heading up to the top, that's where Makarov will be. Study this thing so you know where you're going."
"It's a hotel, it won't be hard to find the stairs."
"Study it."
Ghost sighed, knowing he wouldn't win the fight. "Fine." He looked down at the floorplan and began memorising it.
"You're not very conspicuous you know." Ghost raised an eyebrow in question. "With Roach I mean. Honestly, it's a good thing you wear that mask. When he enters the room I'm pretty sure your eyes turn heart-shaped like those cartoons."
"You're exaggerating."
"No, I'm not. Don't even get me started on Roach." Soap sighed looking amused. "How long's it been?"
"A week." He replied, eyes tracing the route towards the stairs from the lobby. There was no point in lying to Soap. Besides he was his friend, the only person he could be honest with aside from Roach. "Don't start talking about the honeymoon phase. It's different."
It was. They had already done that months ago. Those three weeks together still brought a smile to his face. Now was different, it was real. Ghost felt it inside, he loved Roach. Not that he'd been able to say it aloud. Baby steps.
"Just focus, please. After Makarov's death, you two can do whatever you want. Privately." He added as an afterthought. "I need you with me on this Ghost."
"I'm focused." It didn't take long for thoughts of Roach's lips to push the plan from his mind. He pushed the papers away and stood up. "How about a break?"
"How about you sit back down? You're not sneaking off to find Roach until you can recite the plan to me perfectly."
"You're cruel."
"I'm keeping you both alive. So come on, tell me the plan." It took a long time but finally, Ghost could recite the whole thing without thought. Only then did Soap seem satisfied. "Alright, go and find Roach then. Try and be more tactful."
"I'll try." Ghost was already halfway out the door.
He found Roach out at the shooting range with several other people. When he turned to see Ghost, the smile on his face was like a light in the dark and even though no one saw it, he was smiling too.
"Hey," Roach said as Ghost stopped beside him. "Royce here is giving us a lesson on how to handle the G36C."
"I've seen so many of you idiots treat this thing like a club." Royce picked up one of the guns carefully. "This is a thing of beauty and deserves respect!"
Ghost slipped his hand into Roach's as everyone started laughing. "Think you can get away?" He whispered into his ear. Roach squeezed his hand in response and stepping back, Ghost cleared his throat. "The ACR's better."
"Oh, you would say that," Royce replied scornfully. "But that thing is outdated now."
"Don't change what isn't broken. But please, don't let me interrupt your lecture." Ghost waved a hand and left, knowing Roach would be minutes behind him.
When he reached his room he only had time to remove his shades and balaclava before there was a knock at the door. Roach didn't wait for an answer but entered and locked it behind him.
He smiled warmly as their eyes met. "Hey."
"Hey."
Then they were kissing, hard and fast. It didn't take long to find the bed and their clothes to be gone. Ghost had lost track of how many times they'd done this during the past week, but he still couldn't get used to the closeness it brought. The connection he felt to Roach, to Gary, was indescribable. And he was pleased to say that two minutes was no longer a problem.
"We need to stop doing this." Gary kissed along his jawline. "People are noticing, Poet's starting asking questions."
"To hell with what anyone thinks. After Makarov's death, it doesn't matter anyway. A few days from now we'll be free."
"Simon-"
He cut him off with a kiss. "You gotta stop calling me that. It's driving me crazy, in a good way."
"Shouldn't have given me permission then. But seriously, you're sure about leaving the military?"
"Never been more sure of anything in my life." He kissed the top of Gary's head and sighed. "It's the first thing I've ever wanted for myself. I've done my time, someone else can take over the next fight."
He knew Gary was worried that he was making the wrong choice. But Simon knew he wasn't, there was nothing he wanted more than to be with him without death hanging over their heads. To finally live a normal life with someone who loved him, that he loved too was all he wanted now.
"It sounds too good to be true." Gary's face was pressed into his neck and every brush of his lips against his skin caused sparks in his stomach. Simon closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy the feeling. He'd never imagined someone could make him feel this way. "But I want it too."
"Stay alive then."
He laughed and moved to kiss him. "Keep me with you during the assault."
"Soap will never agree."
"Tell him it's the only way you'll focus because you know I'm safe." Gary grinned. "I know I'll feel better if I'm with you."
"Alright I'll ask him but no promises." He pulled Gary closer to kiss him again but they were interputed a few minutes later by a knock at the door. "Shit, it's probably Soap." Getting up he found some trousers to put on before answering.
It was indeed Soap. He looked him up and down then shook his head with a sigh. "Subtle, real subtle. We need you in the briefing room, Price wants to finalise the teams."
"Alright, I'll be five minutes."
"Roach, you're needed in the armoury. Zach and Worm are getting the gear ready and could use some help."
"Sure thing."
Closing the door, Simon turned to see Gary grinning. "Nothing gets past him does it?"
"No so let's not test his patience. Soap has been more than accomodating." Probably because he couldn't afford to lose two of his best soldiers days before taking on Makarov. But Ghost still appreciated it. "I'll come by your room once we're done."
Gary kissed him quickly before going into the bathroom. "Don't wake me if it's late."
"No promises."
