Soon after Ghost retired, he told the 141 he'd adopted a pet called Skully, they assumed it was a dog from the stories Ghost told. "He loves going for walks, Skully chases the squirrels." Soap gets leave to visit Simon and discovers Skully is in fact, a cat. #GhostSoap Thread! ⬇️🧵

Skully was a feral little thing Simon found rummaging in a bin in behind his house, he immediately took him in and gave him a home. Skully regularly started fights with the neighbourhood dogs and terrorised every seagull that dared to enter the garden, Simon loved him.

Skully also hated every human being he laid eyes on, but not Simon, and surprisingly... not Johnny.

On the second day of Johnny's visit, Simon finds him napping on his sofa, a black void of fluff curled up on his chest. He's bathed in the warm afternoon light, sprawled out, legs thrown over the arm. He's beautiful. And surely, he must have drugged his cat because Skully definitely does not cuddle.

He feels his heart twinge and wonders how Johnny does it. First, he broke through Ghost's impenetrable barrier, his bloodied skull mask and "fuck off" eyes doing nothing to keep the cheeky sergeant from crawling into his heart.

And now he's won over his scarred curmudgeon of a cat, purring on Johnny's chest like it's his favourite place in the world. Serene like he hadn't shredded a pigeon in the back garden not two hours prior.

Simon wishes he could take Skully's place and press his cheek into Johnny's firm chest, breathe in his soapy scent, but he can't.

Simon never told Johnny he had feelings for him before he retired, didn't want to ruin what they had as friends, friends that flirted every chance they got, but still, they kept things professional enough. Simon never took things further as much as he desperately craved Johnny's affection.

His presence like a balm that soothed all of his bone deep anger and loneliness. Soap was joining him in retirement in three months, his knee was slowly deteriorating and he was leaving on his own terms. Was this Simon's chance to finally open up? Confess to Johnny that he's wanted him from day one?

He didn't know if he had the courage. What if he didn't feel the same way? "Stop watching me sleep, ya creep" Johnny teased, eyes still closed but grinning sweetly in the afternoon rays. "Was watching Skully actually, you twat. He likes you"

Johnny looked up at him, eyes glistening, hopeful, a gentle smile teasing the corners of his mouth. Their eyes met and Simon held his ocean blue gaze.

"Johnny I, ...I um" Simon swallowed "I was wondering if you wanted to live here for a bit when you retire. I know you haven't got a place yet and Skully seems to like having you around so, yeh.. if.. you know, if you want" Simon mumbled.

Well, it wasn't a love confession, but it was something. He just wanted to keep Johnny close; this was his chance.

"Really? I mean I'd love to, if you're sure?" Simon nodded. "And what about you wee man? Mind if I live here for a bit?" Johnny asked Skully, gently running his hands down his back. *meow* Skully chirped and rolled over onto his back for belly rubs. "Guess that's settled then... thank ye, Simon"

Simon looked down and shuffled his feet, awkwardly shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie "Good, yeah. No problem. Tea?" "You better get one of those fancy coffee machines before I move in 'cos I am not drinking any more of that shite"

Simon let out a gravelly laugh "Sure, Johnny, whatever you want" He would tell him eventually. Even though Johnny already knew. End! 🐾