#anyways. please just listen to what your guts are telling you Gaz

[andaniellight]

I just think that sometimes Gaz and Soap would be like

Gaz, gesturing toward Ghost in the distance: do you even trust that man?

Soap, exasperated: yeah with my life actually

Gaz:

Gaz:

Gaz:

Gaz: so it’s okay then if, when last week I said I lost your room key it’s actually because I accidentally gave them to Ghost while you were on a mission, it’s... that’s okay then...? 

Soap, becoming more and more red, jaw dropping: 

Gaz: since you trust him with your life and all I mean-

Soap: you- YOU DIDN’T ACTUALLY LOSE THE KEY!? [starts tHROWING HIS SHOES ONE BY ONE AT GAZ AND CHASES HIM OFF YELLING] OF COURSE THAT’S NOT OKAY, YOU IDIOT! NO WONDER MY ROOM IS ALWAYS A MESS WHENEVER I CAME BACK FROM A MISSION!!! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TIRING IT IS TO $#%^!?>^(&^*

[wow-thisismylifeiguess]

Soap only calls him Simon when he's in trouble. Not in a playful way. Not when he's joking around and Soap whines out his partner's name to get his attention. No. Soap calls him Simon when Ghost fucks up.

It's so rare, Ghost never really worries about it. He gets used to the number of other names Soap calls him.

"Come on, LT! We've got shit to do!"

"Ahhh, Ghost plans on actually spending time with the team? Guess you really do like us after all."

"Si, can you look at me? There we go, just like that. I love you."

'Simon' is reserved for when Soap's infinite patience is lost, and Ghost is forced to look at his partner. Feel the weight of his stare.

"Simon."

It's enough for a cold shiver to pass over his spine. Makes him stand taller, at attention. Waits for Soap to pass judgement over him.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you, Simon."

He /is/ looking, he just can't quite meet Soap's eyes. Not until he's given a direct order, and when he does glance up, it's to a chilly gaze. Makes him feel like he's been doused with nothing but ice water.

"Are you paying attention?"

Ghost is, especially when Soap uses that tone with him. He nods and gets a look that makes him swallow thickly.

"Yes, si- Soap. I'm listening."

"Good. Now tell me, Simon. What the /fuck/ was that behavior?"

Soap is referring to their last mission. One Ghost had nearly not returned from, and it was because he made a bad judgement call. Had gone specifically against Soap's instructions, had been /warned/ that walking in there without waiting for backup was a fucking risky move, and Ghost had done it anyway because he'd been...not cocky, that's the wrong word. But confident. Overly so.

In the end, Soap had to drag him out of the building while Gaz tried to hold his guts together.

His stitches tug and ache as he stands in front of Soap now. His eyes catch sight of the bandages on his partner's shoulder. Bandages he wouldn't have needed if he didn't go after Ghost.

"I was doing my job." He answers. It’s an attempt to sound defiant, but his tone falls flat, even to his own ears.

"Is dying on your list of duties, Lieutenant?"

The rank has Ghost on edge. To be scolded like this by a subordinate? ....he should be pissed. Instead, he feels like shit.

"Answer me, Simon."

"No."

Soap lets out a hissed breath.

"/No/. Exactly. So, please. Explain to me, why the /fuck/ did you run in there yourself, when I told you explicitly that it was dangerous? Do you want to be a ghost that badly, Simon?"

The second part is a rhetorical question, so Ghost makes no attempt to answer. Instead, he tries to avert his eyes again, only for Soap to clear his throat. Ghost looks at him, sees the way his partner crosses his arms over his chest.

"You almost bled out on me, Simon. I was covered in your blood. Just tell me why you went in."

And the way Soap's voice softens finally, Ghost is hit with a wave of guilt. He's the one who almost died, but Ghost can accept that. Can accept not coming back home. What he can't accept is leaving Soap behind.

"'m sorry, Johnny. Thought I had it handled, really. It's not the first time I've cleared a building myself."

"You're amazing, Si. But you're also human. Don't ever do that again."

"I won't." And he's telling the truth, because as much confidence Ghost has in his skills, he trusts Soap's judgement more. Besides, he never wants to hear 'Simon' come from Soap's lips ever again.