Their mini break at the Sanderson household was a rapid turnout for good news. Not only did they get to announce their engagement but Gary told him in private that Amber was pregnant. "We're going to be uncles!" He'd said excitedly.

Simon had to admit the prospect scared him. He didn't have much experience with children of any age, much less a baby. But Gary was full of excitement about the news and it was infectious. He supposed it would be a good trial run to see if he was up for fatherhood himself one day.

It wasn't the only surprise of their trip. On their first day, Gary had disappeared for the afternoon and been very elusive upon his return. Simon soon found out that evening what he'd been up to. The new tattoo marking his heart, a ghost caricature like they had talked about years ago.

The sight of it made Simon want to simultaneously cry and kiss Gary until they couldn't breathe. It was perfect and he made a promise to himself that he would get his matching tattoo as soon as possible. He didn't get the chance during their visit but maybe next time. Hell, maybe he'd stop off somewhere during a mission to get it done.

The trip did get cut short though by a day. Soap had called with a usual request to get to Vegas. Archer and Toad were finally tying the knot but were waiting for the two of them to finish their 'mission' first.

The task force was assembled by the time they arrived in Vegas. Soap was waiting for them in the lobby of the hotel he'd sent the address of to Ghost and grinned when they entered the lobby. "About time you two got here." He threw over the key with a fob reading 206 and Ghost caught it. "That's your room, I got you a double. Didn't think you'd mind."

"Thanks. So what time is the wedding?"

"At five so you got a couple of hours to freshen up."

"We'll catch you in a bit then." Roach towed him away towards the elevators. He seemed impatient. "Let's go. We've got two hours to ourselves and I want to make the most of it."

"I like the sound of that." Ghost had him against the wall as soon as the doors shut and kissed him hotly. "I've been waiting to get you alone for weeks."

"Careful of the suits!" Roach held them out of harm's way as Ghost continued feeling him up. "Wait until we get inside."

"You're testing my patience, love."

"I'm making sure you look half decent later." He was quick to slip out as the elevator doors opened again. "Which room is it?"

"Number six."

He waited patiently for Roach to hang their suits up before grabbing him again and lifting him into his arms. Roach laughed and immediately held on. "What are you thinking?"

"That I'd like you out of those clothes as soon as possible." Once they were comfortably situated on the bed he made good on his promise and helped Roach out of his shirt, immediately kissing the exposed skin of his chest and down to his stomach. "I've missed your body."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"How much I love you." He paused and looked up with a smile. "I'll never be able to express it properly."

"I already know."

Ghost stood to retrieve the lube from their bags and when he turned around it was to find Roach naked on their bed and grinning at him smugly. Because he knew what that did to him.

"Stop staring and get over here."

He did as he was told, kneeling on the bed over Roach. "God Gary, you're so beautiful."

Roach smiled back and accommodated his body, drawing him between his legs. "You got the lube?"

"Of course." Two weeks was far too long. Yet Roach was just as warm and inviting as if they had done this hours ago.

Roach though, was impatient and made it known early on. He'd barely gotten through the prep when he grabbed his wrist and huffed, "Simon, please!"

"You're so honest, love." Ghost kissed his thigh and sat up, smiling down at Roach's dazed face. "What do you want?"

"I want you to fuck me already!"

"That can be arranged."

"Fuck, you're big," Roach groaned, head hitting the pillow and his fingers digging into Ghost's arms in a sharp sting.

"Thanks for the compliment, love."

"Move, please, move."

Ghost did, having to try hard not to come too early as he started a steady pace. Roach held him close, the soft noises he made like the music to Ghost's ears. He caught Roach's hand and pulled back to look at him, whispering, "I love you."

Roach smiled back, equal parts beautiful and devastating.

"I love you so much, Gary."

"Love you too," he replied breathlessly, dragging Ghost down into a tight embrace when he reached between them to touch him. "Please, I wanna come."

"Go for it." When Roach came a few moments later it was enough to send Ghost over the edge too.

Roach let out a big sigh, fingers carding through Ghost's hair to gain his attention. "Simon, you're getting too good at this."

"I did tell you I'd learn every part of your body." Ghost reminded him, tickling his ribs to make him laugh. "Everything that feels good, that tickles and what you hate. All I want is to make you feel good and as long as I'm doing that, it's a win."

"Well congrats, you're doing a fantastic job." Roach smiled up at him, arms coming up to wrap around his neck. "You're the best."

"That's definitely you, love. Your body is fucking amazing."

"Almost like we were made for each other, huh?"

"Something like that." Ghost often wondered if that was true. Roach did seem almost too perfect. He tried not to overthink it too much and just enjoyed what they had. He stood with a groan and helped Roach to his feet. "Come on. Let's get showered and ready to go. Soap'll do his nut in if we're late."

"I'm down to wash your hair if you wash mine." Roach pulled him into the bathroom eagerly.

They made it back down to the lobby with time to spare.

It was a miracle the task force all for into the small chapel to watch Archer and Toad recite their vows. It was a very cosy affair and all Ghost could think about as he sat next to Roach was doing it themselves. They had promised Amber they wouldn't elope but... who would know?

The question persisted the rest of the night. Even at the clubs and bars with a myriad of drinks and increasingly inebriated conversations with Soap, Ghost found himself watching Roach with the others and wondering how he'd react to the proposition.

It was at the fourth bar that Roach dragged him into the bathrooms and started tugging on his clothes with a sinful smile and loud laughter. "Simon, why are you wearing a belt?"

"Alright, love I get the message. Let's get out of here."

He kept a firm hold on Roach during their walk back to the hotel, keen not to lose him and to keep him safe. Soap had only laughed and shaken his head when Ghost signalled they were leaving. The others probably wouldn't notice, all in various states of intoxication.

Roach was on him before the door to their room was even shut, insistently tugging on his belt and this time he managed to get it undone. Pulling it free with a victorious smile, he fell back on the bed and grinned up at him. "I win."

"Oh yeah? What's your prize?"

"You." Roach grabbed his shirt and yanked him down, laughing into the kisses. "Don't- don't take so long prepping me, we've already done it once today."

"I'm still going to prep you, no arguments." Ghost cut him off with another kiss before grabbing the lube. "Now, strip."

"Yes, sir." Roach was more than happy to comply. In fact, he didn't have any more complaints after that, quite happy with Ghost handled him. In the afterglow, he looked up at Ghost with a sated smile and murmured, "you're so perfect."

Ghost laughed, shaking his head. "No, I'm not. I'm just trying to be a better person for you."

"Well, it's working." He blushed when Ghost lifted his chin so they could look at each other properly. "What did I do to deserve you?"

"I could ask you the same thing, love." Ghost still questioned what Roach saw in him sometimes. "I'm not exactly a good person but I've been gifted something so precious it feels like I don't deserve it."

"You deserve all of this, Simon." Roach grabbed his hand and pressed it to the new tattoo on his chest. "Everybody deserves love, even if they think they don't. You deserve this, more than most people after everything you've been through. I'm so in love with you it terrifies me."

"It scares me too."

In the silence that followed, Ghost kissed the top of Roach's head and closed his eyes, content to enjoy the moment. Every second they had together was precious. He didn't want to waste a single one of them.

"Let's kill Makarov," Roach whispered suddenly, voice full of a quiet conviction Ghost had never heard before.

"We will, love. Then we can retire and not have to worry again."

"You'd be a farm boy, you know that?"

"Don't remind me." He laughed when Roach pinched his side. "Alright, alright, I can't wait to be a farm boy."

"That's better." Roach kissed under his chin and settled down in his arms. "M'tired. Time for bed."

"Alright, night love."

"Night."

The following morning, after a long but pleasurable shower, Ghost worked up the courage to ask. They were back in bed and he was watching Roach checking the bedside drawers. "We still have a few hours. Want to order room service and make out in bed?"

"I have a better idea." Ghost caught a lock of his hair and twirled it around his finger. Finally, he looked up and smiled at Roach. "Let's get married."

Roach's eyes widened in surprise and he sat too stunned to speak for a few seconds. He took a deep breath and asked, "like... right now?"

"Yes, love. Right now. The chapel is down the road, I'm sure they're not busy. We've got suits, I'll grab Soap and you grab Poet. We've got time and the means."

"My family will kill me."

"We don't have to tell anyone. We can have a proper wedding later, just without signing the certificate." Ghost sat up and cupped his face, leaning in to kiss him. "I don't want to wait any longer. Marry me, Gary."

"Yes." He replied instantly, not giving Ghost time to worry about opening his mouth. "Yes!" He smiled and crashed into Ghost's arms, making them fall back on the bed. "I love you."

"I love you too." Reluctantly, he got up. "We should get moving if we want to do this." When they were finally dressed back in their suits, Ghost pulled Roach into one last kiss in the hallway. "Meet me in the lobby in ten minutes."

Soap did not look happy to see him when finally opened his room door. It looked like he'd only just gone to bed. "This better be good." He sighed, opening the door and retreating into the dark room, leaving Ghost to follow him inside. "I do not feel good."

"That's a shame. You promised to be my best man and I need you to fulfil your duties." Ghost opened the curtains, rolling his eyes when Soap groaned in protest. "We're getting married."

"Roach won't be happy about that."

"Not me and you. Me and Roach."

Soap uncovered his face, looking thoughtful. "That... makes more sense." He got up again with a groan, lifting the pillows and looking around in confusion. "Have you seen my tie?"

It took longer to sort Soap out. They never did find his tie though. After several glasses of water and some food, Soap was almost back to normal.

"Mate, this is nothing. You shoulda seen me when my mate got married back when I was eighteen. I slept over thirty hours after that celebration!"

"I'll take your word for it. You promise you won't throw up or faint?"

"Scouts honour." He patted Ghost's shoulder and led the way down to the lobby. "Wouldn't want to ruin your big day, would I?" Before Ghost could respond, Soap let out a loud shout of laughter and was off, bounding down the stairs and tackling Roach into a hug. "Oh my little bug, you're finally making a man outta my Lieutenant! I never thought I'd see the day!"

Ghost hurried down to save Roach before he could be suffocated. "Don't kill him before we're married. I'd like to keep him around a few more years."

"Mate, don't worry your pretty head about that." Soap started pushing both of them towards the front doors. "Let's get this show on the road! Come on, Poet!"

Just as he'd hoped, the chapel was quiet and they got the next available slot. He supposed he should have been nervous but looking at Roach, he found he could only feel an overwhelming sense of love. He took one of Roach's hands when he smiled nervously and squeezed it, helping him relax.

Maybe he hadn't thought the whole thing through though because when they were done with their vows it became apparent they didn't have rings. Soap saved the day by producing a bag of Haribos from his pocket. Roach laughed though getting one over Ghost's finger and he couldn't help smiling back. It was perfect.

"I love you," Roach breathed as they shared their first kiss as a married couple. He was smiling so hard, dimples in full view as they pressed so close together there was no space between them. "So much."

"I love you too. Now and forever." Ghost told him honestly and leaned down to kiss him again.

Soap broke them apart a moment later, wrapping an arm around their necks. "Lads, I'm so proud of you!" He glanced over his shoulder and waved Poet over. "Get in here!" He hesitated for a moment before joining their group hug.

Roach laughed and pulled himself free, keeping a tight grip on Ghost's hand. "We still need to sign the paperwork."

"Then it's official. You're mine."

"That works both ways you know."

"I was yours the moment you came into my life." Ghost kissed his hand. "I always will be."

"I never thought I'd see the day." Soap winked at Poet who was still looking a little stunned. "Not used to seeing Ghost act lovey-dovey?"

"It's a little unnerving." Poet smiled weakly. "Learning a lot today."

"Don't tell anyone." Roach implored. "This is Archer and Toad's weekend. We're not trying to take this away from them. It just... was perfect for us too."

Ghost put an arm around his shoulders and squeezed. "Yeah, let's keep this a secret for now. As soon as the paperwork's done we can head back to the hotel and no one will be the wiser." He lifted Roach's chin and kissed him chastely. "Ready, love?"

"After you."

Just like that, it was official. The paperwork was signed and legally, they were married. Roach held onto their certificate, rings and photographs all bound up in a black leather casing as they returned to the hotel, protectively holding it against his chest. It was rather endearing how tight he was holding on.

Back in the lobby, Soap took charge of Poet and winked at the two of them. "We'll see you both later for the flight home."

As soon as they were back in the privacy of their own room, Ghost cupped Roach's face and kissed him bruisingly. Roach smiled dazedly when they broke apart. "Holy shit we really just did that, didn't we?"

"I believe we did."

"You're my husband," Roach said in disbelief, covering his mouth when he laughed. "We're married..."

Ghost could hardly believe it himself. "No regrets?"

He shook his head. "Now one. How about you?"

"Nothing." Not a single regret when it came to Roach. Not now, not ever.

Their foreheads met gently and Ghost smiled, closing his eyes as he was overcome with a rush of affection for Roach.

"Let's stay here forever," Roach finally whispered, guiding him back towards the bed as he loosened their ties. "You and me, in this big old hotel room. I don't need anything else."

"What about food?"

"Room service." He laughed, falling back on the bed and pulling Ghost down with him.

"You got this all figured out, huh?" Ghost made quick work of Roach's shirt and started kissing his chest, humming when his hand made its way into his hair. "Where's the room service card?"

"Drawer." Roach helped pull off both their shirts as Ghost found the laminated card. "What are you thinking?"

"Not telling. Do you want chocolate?" Because Ghost had just had a wicked thought involving melted chocolate and Roach's unmarked body. He really wanted to try it out and was sure Roach would agree.

"Is that even a question?"

"Let me make the call then." Ghost placed the order quickly, noticing Roach answering a call too. It sounded like Soap on the other end if the Scottish lilt was anything to go by.

"What did you order?" Roach asked, tossing aside the phone and immediately climbing onto his lap with a grin.

"You'll find out soon enough. Whilst we wait, I'd like to kiss my husband some more." He loved saying that already.

"Husband?" Roach asked, looking surprised which made Ghost laugh.

"You did just marry me. That kinda makes you my husband, doesn't it?"

"I guess so." Roach tried to hold back a laugh but failed. "It sounds so strange, husbands."

"I'm sure you'll get used to it." Ghost started to kiss him again, unable to resist himself, especially with Roach still on his lap. He only broke free when there was a knock at the door. "That'll be breakfast, one second."

Roach was sat upright by the time he got back to the bed, face still a little flushed but smile genuine as he looked at the two covered trays curiously.

"Breakfast is served." Ghost revealed the bowl of fruit with accompanying melted chocolate. "What do you think?"

"That you know me too well." Roach kissed him quickly and took the platter.

And Ghost's plan never came to fruition because Roach ate so fast it was gone in minutes. Maybe next time.

"That has got to be the best breakfast I've ever had," he groaned, falling back and patting his stomach.

"I'll make a mental note to save that one for later." And keep it out of Roach's reach long enough to have some fun. He wiped a stray smear of chocolate from the corner of Roach's mouth, groaning when he licked it off. "Gary..."

Roach waggled his eyebrows, a smirk clearly showing he knew what he was doing. "We should start packing, we're leaving tonight, right?"

"Right," Ghost sighed. "We've got some time though, come here."

Cuddling up on the bed, Ghost would have been quite happy to stay there forever.

"Simon?"

"I love you."

Ghost smiled, kissing the top of Roach's head as his words filled his heart. "Me too."