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Soap immediately relaxes as soon as he enters the club.
He had really needed a chance to go out and drown his thoughts out with music and the throng of dancing bodies around him.
As he makes his way to the dance floor, he notices a few interested glances thrown his way - he hadn't come out with the explicit goal of hooking up with someone, but he'd still worn his tightest black jeans along with an equally tight grey shirt under his leather jacket. He'd see where the night took him.
A new song starts playing just as he finds a spot in the crowd, and he gradually relaxes even more as his body moves along with the music, until his mind is just a pleasant haze of movement and music.
He dances with a few people who come up to him, but it doesn't lead to anything more. Which is fine, he kind of came here to not think about his crush, actually.
After a few more songs he has to take a break, so he makes his way to the bar.
"Here's your beer," the bartender says as he hands it over.
Soap picks it up and salutes him with it, "Cheers, mate."
There aren't many other people at the bar, so the bartender sticks around for a bit. "I've not seen you around here before," he says while cleaning a glass.
"I don't get much time off, but I think I picked a good night for it. Compliments to the DJ, it's been a good mix so far," Soap replies with a smile.
The bartender grins, "Lucky you then, we only get this guy in once in a blue moon, but he's really good. He's on for another thirty minutes or so, enjoy it while it lasts."
Soap turns to try and get a look at the DJ booth, but he doesn't have a good angle on it from the bar. "What's his name? I might have to look him up after this."
"He goes by Phantasm," the guy replies, "but I'm not sure he even has an online presence. He just shows up on nights where we don't have anyone scheduled and does his thing. It's odd but everyone loves what he does, so we basically give him free reign."
His curiosity now sufficiently piqued, he decides to get a glimpse of this elusive DJ.
After thanking the bartender, he grabs his beer and makes his way over towards the booth, still gently moving to the music.
As the guy comes into view, Soap's first thought is that the guy is tall . The second is that he's incredibly hot.
He's wearing a black longsleeved shirt and jeans, moving with the music. With the lighting and the guy's face mask, Soap can't get a good look at his face until the DJ lifts his head to look out at the crowd.
Soap almost spits out the sip of beer he's just taken. Surely, it couldn't be-
He knows those eyes. But Ghost wouldn't be out playing DJ in a club near base.
Soap looks down at his beer, checking the alcohol content and blinking hard.
He looks back up at the booth and looks closely. The guy definitely has Ghost's build, and the blond hair he'd only seen once in Las Almas.
His previous state of relaxation has all but evaporated, mind now focused on solving this mystery. The bartender had said the DJ's set would be over soon, so all Soap has to do is wait and follow him to get a closer look.
While he considers his plan, he takes the last sip of his beer and puts the bottle down on a nearby table.
Well. Might as well make the most of the remaining time; the music was genuinely really good.
So Soap starts dancing again, occasionally glancing up at the booth he'd stayed quite close to.
A few more songs come and go before the music fades out, signaling the end of the set. Soap looks up and catches the moment the DJ's eyes land on his, widening immediately.
The man - no, Ghost - averts his eyes and walks away at a pace so quick that it could barely be considered "walking".
Soap would give him a moment to gather himself.
---
Fuck.
The one night he goes out to relax, Johnny shows up at the same club? Really?
He hopes the other man didn't actually recognise him while he goes and grabs his jacket from the back, pulling the hood over his head.
All his hopes get dashed the second he opens the back door of the club, because Johnny is right there, leaning against the opposite wall.
He walks off immediately, still hoping-
He hears footsteps behind him and can't help twitching when the familiar voice says, "I know it's you, LT."
He walks faster and gets a low chuckle in response. "Come on, Simon."
He keeps it up for a bit longer as they make their way back towards base, but when Johnny says, "I really enjoyed your music, you know," he finally stops to let the other man catch up.
As soon as the Scot's grinning face is in front of him, he glares. "Not a word to anyone."
It's only then that he gets a good look at the other man's outfit; he looks good .
Not that Johnny isn't handsome usually, but Ghost rarely sees him out in civvies when he's actually making an effort.
"Did finding me ruin your plans for the night?" Ghost asks with a deliberate look at the outfit that's so tight it might as well be painted on.
Johnny smiles, "Nae, getting laid wasn't really the goal for the night, just needed to get outta my head. Which was working fine until I heard all about Phantasm from the bartender. Was that really the best name you could come up with?"
He rolls his eyes and starts walking again, but at a pace Johnny can actually keep up with. "Not like it matters, I'm not trying to build a brand."
"What are you doing though?" Johhny asks, head tilted as he looks at Ghost.
He shrugs, "Same as you, it helps me get out of my head."
Next to him, Johhny smiles. "Those people don't know how lucky they are, catching a glimpse of you like that."
"What do you mean?"
"I've never seen you look that comfortable without your mask," Johnny shrugs. "It was nice to see, even in the bad lighting."
"The bad lighting is a big part of it, actually. Along with people not really looking at me because they're dancing," Ghost explains.
"Yeah, I had a feeling. Sorry if me recognising you ruined your night, by the way," Johnny says.
"It didn't. I just wasn't expecting anyone to recognise me in that club in particular." Ghost spares a glance at the Scot, who is definitely blushing a bit. Ghost couldn't blame him, he probably also hadn't expected to be recognised in a queer club.
Johhny scratches his cheek nervously, laughing awkwardly. "I didn't even think about that, to be honest. I hope that's not a problem?"
Ghost smirks under his mask, "I'm not that much of a hypocrite, Johnny. Your secret is safe with me if mine is with you. Or rather, that and the DJing."
Soap stops walking to stare at him, wide-eyed. "Of course, I'd never out anyone," he says earnestly, before letting out a small laugh. "I don't think anyone would give you shit for either of it though, most people are too terrified of you for that."
"I'm not ashamed, it's just no one's business," Ghost mutters.
"Yeah, that's fair. Not much different for me."
A comfortable silence ensues as they continue their walk home.
Ghost's brain finally supplies him with the thought that Johnny being in that club meant he was available.
He tries to shake the thought off, considering that his crush on his subordinate was one of the reasons he needed to clear his head in the first place.
He immediately kicks himself for the comment he can't hold back though, "I'm surprised people weren't falling over themselves to get your attention, to be honest. Are you sure you weren't out to get laid?"
Johnny's blush returns instantly, "Gosh, thanks LT. I wouldn't have been averse to it in general, but it wasn't the night for it." The Scot gives him a not so subtle once over before continuing, "I could ask you the same thing though, if you always go out like this I'd be surprised if people didn't wanna jump you."
Ghost can feel himself flush under his face mask, not used to compliments. "Hasn't happened yet, but like I said - people generally don't really look at the DJ."
Johnny chuckles, "They're missing out, LT. I would've-," he cuts himself off with a nervous laugh. "Nevermind, I shouldn't finish that sentence."
Ghost takes a second to process this. It's starting to sound more and more like Johnny isn't just into men, but Ghost in particular. If Johnny is just after a quick hookup and nothing more, Ghost would rather not have him at all. But what if he does want more?
They're still a few blocks from base. Ghost stops walking and looks at Johnny when the Scot turns back towards him.
"What did you need to clear your head from?"
Johhny frowns, looking off to the side. "I don't think I should say, sir."
"Humour me. I promise I won't judge; might even tell you mine in return."
The Scot runs a hand through his mohawk, looking back at Ghost. "I may have a wee crush on my superior. I'm not expecting anything from you, mind you, you can just forget I said anything-".
"Johnny," Ghost says, cutting the other man's rambles off. "Funnily enough, I was trying to distract myself from my crush on a subordinate."
Johnny blinks at him, several times. "You're kidding me. Why didn't you say something?"
Ghost gives him an incredulous look. "I wasn't going to fuck everything up by potentially coercing my subordinate who I didn't even know liked men."
"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense," Johnny says. "Turns out I do like men and you're definitely not coercing me."
As he talked, Johnny had made his way closer to Ghost, now almost close enough to touch. "So what are you gonna do about it?"
Ghost slowly reaches out and rests a hand on Johnny's hip, while his other cups the Scot's cheek and tilts his face up towards his own. "I don't do one night stands, so if that's all this is, tell me now."
Johnny's eyes soften as he smiles up at him, "Simon, if there'd been any indication that I had a chance with you, I would have already wined and dined the shit outta you. You might not be able to get rid of me if we start this."
Ghost smiles as he moves his hand back from Johnny's hip to take off his face mask. "That's reassuring to hear."
Johnny stares. Then he moves his own hands to Ghost's hood. "May I?"
He nods, and Johnny pulls the hood off his head, immediately putting a hand into Ghost's hair. "Look at you, you really are a bonnie lad."
"English, MacTavish."
Johnny rolls his eyes with a smile, "You're gorgeous, Simon. Can I kiss you?"
Instead of answering, Ghost pulls Johnny closer, absentmindedly noting how he's almost on his tiptoes to reach him. Their lips meet and Ghost's mind calms immediately with how right it feels.
The kiss stays close-mouthed and gentle, both feeling each other out. After a while, they part and Ghost leans down to press their foreheads together. "What was this about wining and dining me?"
Johnny grins, "Oh I see, big bad Ghost wants to be wooed? I'll court the hell out of you if you want, just say the word."
He gives Johnny another quick peck. "You have my permission. Dinner tomorrow?"
"Hell yeah. Let's plan on the way home."
---
A few weeks later, Soap sits down at the bar of his usual club again. He flags down a bartender to order his drink and the guy smiles as he hands him the glass. "Haven't seen you since the last time we had Phantasm on."
Soap grins, "Yeah, I have to thank you for that, actually."
As he's talking, he notices the music fade out and switch to their standard playlist.
The bartender tilts his head. "Why's that? Did he actually have stuff online for you to listen to?"
"No, something better than that," he replies as someone sits down next to him and takes the glass from him to take a sip.
The bartender looks at the other person and his eyes widen as Ghost asks, "You almost ready to go home?"
Soap takes a long drag of his drink before handing it back to Ghost to finish off. "Yeah, just one dance?"
Ghost smiles as Soap drags him up off the bar stool.
Before he takes Ghost over to the dance floor, he turns back to the bartender to put down a decent tip. "I do owe you, buddy. Buy yourself a drink on me, yeah?"
The bartender stares after them as they disappear in the crowd, still holding hands.
His colleagues are not going to believe this.