#the other main subplot would be roba coming back after he realises ghost is simon

[s0fter-sin]

i’ve been watching yannis marshall choreography for like 15 minutes and i’m back thinking about my dancer au

gaz suggests a pole dancing segment for the music video for price and ghost shuts it down hard, saying he doesn’t do pole. gaz calls him selfish, that he’s just saying no to spite him but ghost holds firm; not even listening to soap as he tries to reason with him and reach a compromise

soap gets to practice early like he always does, just to see ghost blasting another life by motionless in white and doing a flawless pole routine. he’s as mesmerised by him as he always is, such beautiful movements contrasted by the seemingly harsh music, and waits for him to break before teasing, “i thought you said you couldn’t do pole dancin’.”

ghost just wipes the sweat off his face with a towel. he knew he was there

he always knows when soap’s there

“i said i didn’t do pole; not that i couldn’t.”

“what’s stoppin’ you?” soap asks, genuine and innocently curious and it’s the only reason ghost doesn’t completely shut him down

“what ‘bout you?” he asks instead. “ever done pole?”

he shrugs and sets his bag down. “enough to get in a twirl or two. ‘sides, gaz’s better suited to that kinda delicate work.”

“now, that i know is bullshit,” ghost scoffs and soap tenses, expecting him to go off on another rant about his best mate (just like he waits through gaz going off on ghost) but- “i’ve seen your competition tapes; you’re plenty strong enough to work a pole.”

soap stares at him. “how have you-?”

“price,” he answers simply, throwing the towel on top of his gear and all but stalks towards him. “i like knowin’ who i’m working with; he sent me your breakdancin’ comps. if you can hold a three-fingered hollowback handstand, you can bend on a pole.”

soap sputters as ghost grips his tank top and yanks him over to the pole, setting his hands in place on the body-warmed metal; bracketing his body with his own. he guides his body through the motions; teaches him how to fall and catch himself in a spin, how to gracefully climb and hold his body in midair

soap laughs as he throws himself into a spin just to bend his legs over his head, twisting his body to latch onto the pole with knee and lean perfectly horizontal with his other leg splayed out; his arm thrown above his head

he tips his head back to catch ghost’s grin and almost drops himself as he jumps up to join him; artfully climbing above him and holding his whole weight on his hip as he flips down to look at him

soap’s breath catches at the scant distance between their faces; so close he can count the near invisible freckles on ghosts skin, his fair lashes and the deep flecks of gold in his dark eyes

ghost is just as entranced; his grin slowly fading as he looks into the light sparkling in soap’s eyes. he tips his head towards the mirrors lining the studio and they slowly turn to look at themselves; fitting perfectly together

“see?” he whispers. “we don’t look all that outta place, do we?”

“no,” soap whispers back. “we don’t.”

#after stripping for roba he cant do traditional pole without being reminded of it #of the hundreds of hungry eyes and greedy hands wanting to rip him apart. all encouraged by the man who has him trapped #im still trying to work out details (not that ill ever be fleshing this out beyond a notfic lmao) but i think other than soap’s self esteem #the other main subplot would be roba coming back after he realises ghost is simon #price got him away from his cartel backed strip club. whether he bought him out or has something else to hold over him i dont know #but part of simon taking on ghost was to hide from roba as much as it was to give himself a new life #but roba still has security footage of him in the club and if he releases it he’ll do irreparable damage to his and price’s career #the ghost used to work for (against his will) the cartel? esteemed director john price made a deal with him? #theyll both be ruined #not that ghost cares about his reputation. he only starts to go along with it bc itll hurt price #and after roba finds out about soap he threatens him too #how easy it would be for him to find soap and break a few bones. just enough to ensure he’ll never dance again #WAIT THIS COULD BE THE TURNING POINT I COULDNT FIGURE OUT!! #i said nikolai would be gazs manager so maybe ghost starts pushing soap away to try and protect him and gaz loses his shit #like ‘how dare you just drop soap after making him like you so much?!’ then it all just comes out and gaz says he’ll help #but hes doing it for soap and price /not/ ghost and enrolls nik who still has underworld connections of his own #oh shit its all coming together #if anyone wants to adopt and write this brw i would love you forever #coming out of my cage and ive been doing just fine.txt #we’re a team. ghost team #soapghost #ghostsoap #soap cod #john soap mactavish #ghost cod #simon ghost riley #kyle gaz garrick #gaz cod #task force 141 #cod fic