Star-Crossed Lovers

Now or Never

"No... Please... NO!" Ghost sat up in his bed, drenched in sweat. "Fuck!" He whispered. "Is it the same dream?" Soap was lying next to him. "It's never the same nightmare. I just wish they'd go away." "I know, Si."

Soap rolled over to look at his lover. "Noo that we're both awake, y'wanna talk aboot stuff?" "Like what?" "Well," Soap yawned as he sat up, "I see ya readin' plays 'n' stuff of that nature. Why's that?" "Well, if you really want to know, I used to be a theater kid." "No way! You? In theatre? I don't believe it!" "Yep, ole Simon Riley was an ac-tor." "That's amazin'!" "Yeah, it was."

Soap looked down, then at Ghost again. "Why'd ya stop?" "I didn't have a choice. I was forced into the military. So that kinda ended my whole Hollywood actor dream. Oh well, I'm happy being a Lieutenant." Pause. "Do ye miss it?" "Theatre? Yeah, sure! I was the best in my group, I'm not just braggin', either. My picture made it into several magazines, and not just because of my mugshot." "Woahwoahwoahwoah! Waitwaitwait! Ye had a mugshot?!" "Yep. I made headlines a few times. But I'm not talkin about that."

Soap examined Simon's face with his eyes. Ghost side-eyed him. "What?" "Nothin', j'st lookin'." "Well, quit starin'." "Sorry, sir." Soap laid back down. "You gonna join me?" "In a bit. I gotta piss." "TMI, LT" "What's that stand for?" "Too much information?" "No, TMI, LT, what's that stand for?" "Too much information, Lieutenant." "I know, just testing." Simon said with a grin. "Away an bile yer heid." Soap said with a chuckle, as he gave the other a playful shove. Ghost stood up and went to the bathroom.

After he was done, Ghost went to the sink and washed his hands. He splashed his face, too. When he dried his hands and face, he looked in the mirror. For the first time in forever, he recognized the person in his reflection.

Simon walked back to the bedroom and sat on the bed, while Soap still laid. "Si, are you okay?" The Scot asked. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just lost in thought, I guess." "Y'wanna tell me aboot it?"

Ghost looked down at his partner for a second, then up again. "Why do you love me?" Soap quickly sat up. "What kinda question is that?" "I'm serious, Soap. I mean, you were scared of me, like everyone else. Yet, here you are, in my bed and in love with me. I don't understand; what do you see in me?" John's heart cracked upon hearing Simon's words.

"Well, I see a kind 'n' c'mpassionate man who, deep down, is hurtin'. Therefore, ye put on this tough 'n' emotionless façade. But I know who ye really are." Soap said as he gently caressed the Brit's cheek.

"Fuck, Johnny, you're gonna make me cry," Simon said with a chuckle, as tears filled his eyes. "That's okay; tears are a sign of strength," John said as he placed a kiss on the other's nose, which made him burst into tears. Soap wrapped him in his arms and rocked him back-and-forth. "Sh, sh, sh, it's okay, I'm here, 'n' I'll never let anything happen t' ye."

Ghost started slightly shaking as he continued crying. "W-What did I d-do to deserve y-you?" He whispered with a sniffle. "Oh, Simon, you're the strongest, most beautiful man I've ever laid eyes on. I dinnae care what anyone else says... I love you so, so much, Simon Riley~"

Simon started to cry harder, as he buried his face in John's chest. "You're just makin' it worse..." "Is that a bad thing?" John asked with a soft smile, as he gently stroked the other's hair. "I-I've never been this vulnerable with anyone." "Well, I guess that means I'm lucky."

*He's been hurt so much, that he's afraid to be soft and vulnerable. I feel so bad,* Soap thought to himself. "Johnny," Simon looked up at the Scot with big, puppy-like eyes. "Hmm?" Soap looked down at the other. "...Please, never leave me..." At that moment, you could hear John's heart shatter into a million pieces. "Oh, Si, I'm not leavin' you, not ever." "Promise?" "Promise." Silence.

"...Thank you," Simon whispered. "For what?" John asked with a raised eyebrow. "For being true to who you are... For never giving up on me..." Soap started blushing profusely. "Y-Yeah, well, you're not getting rid of me so easily." He said with a light chuckle. "And I wouldn't wanna have it any other way," Ghost said, as he leaned up and kissed Soap. The Scot was caught off-guard for a moment, but he placed both hands on either side of his partner's face and closed his eyes. If this is what Heaven feels like, it's fucking awesome.