Soap: Of course it can. Sometimes it burns, sometimes it pulls out more than you can give. But sometimes a touch can lay softly on your skin and embrace you in a warmth that isn't comparable to anything else.
Ghost reaching out: I hope my touch will never pain you.
Soap leaning into Ghost's hand: How could it ever hurt? All you give me is love, Lt. And I will give it back to you a hundred times more until I die.
Demon!Ghost: Your soul tastes bitter.
Soap: Then stop nibbling on it...
Demon!Ghost: But I am hungry. And you know what they say: Beggars can't be choosers. (╹��╹ )
Ghost decides to go to the supermarket alone during their leave. Because he wants to do something for Johnny while he is still asleep. And because he can do it if he sets his mind to it. He leaves a short note, steps outside and walks down the road of their little town. He breathes in and out calmly behind his face mask.
When he steps into the supermarket a cool breeze brushes against his skin. He looks around. There are more people than expected. But it's okay. He can handle this much.
He takes a basket and starts gathering what he needs for his planned breakfast. Almost done, just a little bit longer. He only has to endure it a tad longer. He reaches for a glass of pickles but when someone walks past him, screeching, laughing with a friend, he flinches and his hand loosens the grip. The glass crashes to the floor, pickles, liquid and glass spreading beneath him.
And when he looks up they stare. All the eyes look at him, their glance piercing through his walls. They make sure that he knows what a disgrace he is. That he isn't worth anything. He is useless, doesn't even deserve to enjoy a calm morning if he doesn't work for it.
His view gets distorted when he starts to feel dizzy. His chest hurts, his heart races against his skin, making it move. He can feel it. Air stops filling up his lungs while he crouches down, grabs into his shirt and tries to take a breath.
They don't stop, they still stare. They judge him. Judging him for the miserable man he is, sitting on a dirty supermarket floor and trying to make himself invisible.
"Don't touch him!"
A familiar voice fills the air around him, he hears people murmuring but can't understand a word. And when two strong arms wrap around him and press his head against a broad and calming chest he can only hear one specific voice speaking to him.
"Simon, it's okay. I'm here, I am with you. You're going to be okay. Nothing and no one will hurt you. You're not alone anymore. It's okay, love. You're okay."
And while his tears stop falling he clenches onto the arms, hides his face and finally starts to breathe again.
"Why didn't you wake me up, love?" Johnny asks quietly into his ear.
"Wanted to make you breakfast," Ghost says, his voice cracking.
He hears a light chuckle. "You're so sweet, Simon. Thank you for trying, love. Now, let's get you back home, hm?"
Simon nods tiredly and gets up, their fingers intertwined. Next time he will ask Johnny to join him. Maybe he isn't strong enough yet. And maybe it's okay to give himself some more time to adjust. Because with Johnny he never needed to be strong in the first place.
Soap: I think we should move in together during our leaves.
Ghost: Don't you think it's too early?
Soap: We are dating for 2 years already, Si. If you want we can wait longer but I don't know if you will ever feel ready for it.
Ghost: I know. It's just... I am scared, Johnny. I am scared that someday I have to go home to a place that's too big for one. How will I be able to manage if you won't be there with me then?
Soap: This will never happen, Simon. I will always stay by your side.
Ghost: You can't know that... Everyone left me in one way or another.
NIOOO AHHHHHGHHH I CLICKED ON YOUR STORY ‘IN MY SCOPE’ AND I DIDNT READ THAT IT WAS CHAPER 12 ANS NOT CHAPTER 1 AND IT WAS SO INTERESTING AND THEN I GOT TO THE END AND I SAW IT WAS CHAPTER 12 IM SO SORRY, I FEEL LIKE I DISRESPECTED YOUR WORK BY READING THE LAST CHAPTER FIRST, HOLY CRAP IM SO SO SORRY, I NEED YOUR CONFIRMATION TO CONTINUE READING THE STORY, I FEEL SO DAMN ASHAMED.
Hello!! Please feel free to read the story however you like! LOL it's okay if you accidentally read chapter 12 first (it's kind of a filler chapter, don't worry, you didn't spoiler yourself too much 。◕‿◕。).
Thank you for wanting to enjoy my story from beginning to end hehe ( ꈍᴗꈍ)