When our lips touched. part 9.

When our lips touched.

Part 9 chapter 3.

"Hello, Mum,"

Margret extends her arms curling her arms around Simon's shoulders and gripping him tight with a lengthy hug.

"Good to see you again, it's been a few months, Simon,"

"Yes, sorry about that, mum Work keeps us occupied,"

"Us?"

"Yes, us..., we work together,"

Simon guided John forward, released his hand, and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

"Mum, this is John,"

"Hello, my dear, nice to finally meet you, wish I could say I've heard a lot about you but the son of mine tells me nothing,"

"Halò, ma'am, I could say the same,"

"Please, call me Margret, John,"

He looks over to Simon breaking a toothy smile with a wink.

"Come inside boys, I need to know everything,"

"Everything, Mum?"

"Yes, I need to know everything about you two,"

"Mu...,"

John interrupts cutting Simon off, 

"Of course, Margret, no need to worry I'll tell you everything,"

Simon glares at John disapprovingly but his expression softens as he takes John by the hand and leads him inside and whispers,

"Remember we're sworn to secrecy,"

"I know, Simon, you can relax,"

They trail behind Margret following her to the kitchen.

"You have a beautiful home, Margret,"

"thank you, John, it belonged to my father before I inherited it,"

They pass through the door leading into the kitchen the aroma of something roasting in the oven fills the air, and a large pot stands on the stove with something brown bubbling within.

"Is that gran's brown onion soup, Mum?"

"It is indeed, Simon,"

"It smells lovely, Margret,"

"Thank you, darling,"

Margret stands before the Stove stirring the soup with a large wooden spoon.

"Mum, John likes to cook as well, don't you Johnny?"

"Aye, I do, don't cook that much, unfortunately, occupied with work most of my days,"

"Oh really, what do you do for work, then?"

John remains silent and thinks before he speaks.

"Well..., it's complicated really, you see we are sworn to secrecy,"

"Johnny!"

Simon roars in outrage.

"Si, calm down, I told your mother I'll tell her everything, besides, I didn't say anything I'm not supposed to,"

Simon began to protest but his mouth was shut with John's index.

"You'll have to excuse Simon, sometimes he acts like a toddler,"

Margret covers her lips with her fingertips as she giggles loudly nodding her head in agreement.

"I appreciate your honesty, John, So happy my son has someone like you in his life,"

John's cheeks glowed red somewhat embarrassed at Margret's comment. 

"Serves you right for shutting me up,"

John rolled his eyes before curling his arm around Simon's.

Margret beams at the sight.

"So how long have you been together, then?"

John looks up at Simon meeting his gaze, waiting for a signal from him to speak. Simon nods slightly as he exhales whisperingly and winks at him. John sprouts a lengthy smile before he speaks,

"Well..., I joined the...," He falters before turning to Simon.

"Simon, could I speak to you privately for a minute?"

Simon nods agreeing taking his hand into his own and leading him out of the kitchen to the sitting room.

John whispers,

"Simon, how much does your mother know about..., you know?"

"The 141?"

"Aye,"

"Nothing, you know we can't speak about that,"

"Does she at least know you're in the military?"

"Yes, she does, Johnny,"

John sighed heavily resting his forehead against His chest as Simon curled his arms around him.

"This is harder than I thought, Si,"

"I know, Puppy,"

Simon pressed a kiss to his scalp as he rubbed his hands over his back warmly.

"Are you two alright,"

Margret questions walking into the room.

"Yeah, mum..., I think it is best that the three of us have a sit-down we need to talk,"

"Are you sure, Si?" 

"Yes, it's time she knew,"

Margret's eyes widen when looking at John seeing the worried expression on his face.

"Okay, Simon, I'll turn the stove off first, would you like some tea?"

"Anything stronger, Margret?"

surprised at his own words, he looks up to Simon worryingly.

"Yeah, anything stronger, Mum think we need it,"

"Goodness, I'll see if I have anything,"

She walks to the kitchen a few minutes pass and the sound of glasses being clinked together echoes down the corridor. As they took a seat at the dining table Simon took John's hand into his own and gently cresting his thumb over his dorsal.

"No need to worry, John it's on me,"

John smiled weakly resting his head on his shoulder.

Not too soon Margret walks into the room once more holding three short glasses with a bottle of amber liquid.

"Hope bourbon is okay, it belongs to Pat, sure he won't mind,"

Margret takes a seat across the table resting the heavy bottle and glasses in the middle of the table. Simon takes hold of the bottle and pours a heavy glass for himself before sitting the bottle down picking up his glass and drinking the burning liquid in one gulp.

John rolled his eyes before pouring a mid-full glass for himself and Margret, he gently handed the glass to her and took his own swirling the liquid within the glass and sniffing the aroma.

"So what is it then, Simon?"

Simon remains silent for a few minutes contemplating what he actually can say to his mother. 

"Mum..., what I'm about to tell you is confidential, meaning once we stand up from this table you have to forget it, can I trust you to do that for me?"

"Is he serious, John?"

"Aye, unfortunately,"

Margret's eyes widen, her eyebrows rise and the expression of fear grows over her features.

"Mum, I intend to marry Johnny as soon as I can, however before we can do that we want to...,

he looks at him as John returns his gaze to him and a weak smile sprouts between them.

"Our careers are difficult to talk about we swore to secrecy and never to speak out, I joined the military to escape from, father, as you know and my career flourished later was recruited to special forces as was Johnny, more than that I can not say,"

"John, is this true?'

"Aye, it is, I met Simon roughly seven years ago, at first he paid me no mind but during our missions, we worked excellently together, however back at the barracks he ignored me flat as if I didn't exist. It went on like that for years until recently our last mission triggered something between us for the first time I saw his face, oh I should mention he wears a scull face mask twenty-four, seven so no one on base has ever seen him without it,"

"Why do you hide your face, Simon?"

Simon stared at his mother lifting an eyebrow.

"Oh, I see never mind, Simon, I understand..., John please continue,"

"We were under attack our ammo was running short and we were forced to retreat. An explosion went off and the shock waves sent..., Simon flying into me and our, uuh..., lips touched as he laid on top of me,"

"What, you were almost blown up, Simon!"

Margret shrieked as tears filled her eyes with horror and fear.

"Margret, please..., don't, I'm sorry you have to hear all this. however, this is the only way you'll understand. if I'm going to enter this family I want to be as honest with you as possible,"

Margret Sprouts a weak smile wiping the tears away with her sleeve reaching for John's hand. John takes her hand into his own squeezing it gently.

They continue their conversation, Simon explains more about their work while Margret takes in the new information and discovers more about her son. he becomes utterly vulnerable with her opening up about everything since he joined the military.

Hours have passed as the sun sets and day turns to night.

John's stomach rumbles interrupting their conversation. Simon faces him as he laughs deeply resting his forehead on John's shoulder while rubbing his belly warmly.

"What so funny, Simon?"

"Oh nothing, Mum, just a memory,"

John looks at Simon puzzled but realises what he is referring to.

Margret stares at the two wondering what they are on about as John notices her expression.

"Margret a few days ago we were occupied and hadn't eaten and my stomach rumbled the same as it did a few minutes ago, and this one squealed in laughter,"

Pointing to Simon.

Margret smiles mischievously before muttering,

"Occupied...,"

She winked at them before she got up and walked to the kitchen.

"Oh god, you get it from her, don't you?"

"What you on about, Johnny?"

"Never mind, Si,"

John leaned forward and kissed Simon on the corner of his mouth before digging his head deep into Simon's armpit. 

"Come let's go help your mother,"

"Right,"

Later the three of them stand along the kitchen island deep in conversation with bowls of brown onion soup in hand eating contently.

"So then, Simon when is the big day?"

"Big day?"

"She means our wedding, Simon,"

"Oh..., I see,"

"Donno, this one, want's a ring first,"

John and Margaret laughed hysterically at him almost dropping the bowls. Simon watched their hysteria not very much amused as he continued eating his soup.

"You two done?"

They come to their senses as Margert hugs John lightly tapping him on his back.

"Oh.., I'm gonna enjoy having you as my son-in-law,"

John sprouts a toothy smile as he hugs her in return resting his head on her shoulder for a few moments as he feels a knot form in his throat. Simon sensed Something was not right with him.

"Need some fresh air, Love"

John pulls himself together swallowing the emotions before they can form.

"Aye, would be nice,"

Simon takes his hand and leads him out the back door into the chilly night. john released his hand from Simon's as he stood looking up at the night sky, he exhaled heavily as the emotions from earlier crept to the surface once more. heavy tears fill his eyes as he curled his own arms around himself rubbing his arms warmly.

"What's the matter, Love?"

Simon moved in closer to him gently pressing his torso into his back curling his arms around John's waist and resting his chin on his shoulder.

"I miss my mother, Simon, I mean I lost her at a very young age and only have a few memories of her. I don't know why I feel this way now,"

"Maybe it's because of my mother?"

"Maybe...,"

Simon hugged him tighter feeling him shiver from the cold.

"wait here I'll be back soon,"

He sprints back to the house as John continues looking up at the sky,

"mama..., ma tha thu shuas an sin, tha mi gad ionndrainn agus tha mi a’ guidhe gum b' urrainn dhut coinneachadh, Simon, Tha gaol mòr agam air agus tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gun dèanadh tu cuideachd,"

John falls to his knees as he continues looking up at the night sky as the tears continue cascading down his cheeks.

Soon Simon returned holding a thick wool knit blanket. he leans down behind him throwing the blanket over his own shoulder and curling his arms around him blanket in hand nuzzling his person around John.

He makes himself comfortable in the warm embrace of Simon resting the back of his head in the crook of his neck as Simon plans a kiss to his temple.

"Better then, Love,"

"Much, aye,"

"Johnny..., I know your parents are gone and they will never be replaced, however, my mother loves you already and considers you as her own,"

John smiled happily rubbing his cheek along Simon's course chin warmly.

"I'm aware  Simon, your mother is very sweet and I want her in my life, of course, I just wish my mom could've met you,"

"Johnny I'm sure she was a wonderful woman,"

"She was, well that's what my, Seanmhair, always said,"

"Seanmhair?"

"Grandmother,"

Simon cradled him in his arms wrapping the blanket tight around them. not too soon Margret walks up behind them and looks up at the sky wondering what they are staring at.

"It's freezing, innit?"

Both startled not expecting Margret to sneak up behind them. She laughed at their reactions to her presence.

She bends down curling her arms around them before she whispered caringly,

"Love you, my crazy boys,"

John sprouts a weak smile as he looks over his shoulder at Simon, he is met with a kiss on the cheek and Margret giggles in delight.

"Why don't you two come inside we can light up the fireplace,"

"Sounds lovely, Margret,"

"You sure, Johnny?"

"Aye,"

Simon uncurls his arms and stands up helping John to his feet before they walk back inside Simon curls his arms around him once more covering them under the blanket as he kisses him romantically.

"Oh god, you two get a room,"

John laughed into Simon's mouth before he pulled away from him.

"Jezz..., Mum, thanks,"

John walked over to Magret curling his arm around her shoulders as they shared a laugh together.

"At least your mother knows boundaries, Simon,"

"You need to take care of this one, Simon, his a keeper,"

"Yeah, I know mum,"

Later that night Simon builds a stack of logs within the den of the fireplace before setting it alight. The flames flicker slightly before growing setting the logs alight.

The three of them sit in contentment conversing the night away. Margret questioned John about Scotland and where he is originally from, he explained and told her about the town he grew up in and how quiet it was. he told her about his grandmother and her cottage where he grew up. The night seemed endless as John bubbled away talking mostly to Margret, Simon sat next to John practically ignored by them both, he didn't mind as he saw how happy John was speaking with his mother.

He grows deep in thought as they continue conversing. He thinks about Price wondering when they will have to have the conversation about leaving the 141, for good, that's to say if Shepherd will allow it. 

"Simon!"

"Shit, Sorry my mind was elsewhere,"

"Where was it, Darling?"

Simon smiles weakly.

"No need to worry about it,"

John and Margret glanced at each other suspiciously exchanging a wink.

"Tea anyone?"

"Would be great, Margret,"

"You two go ahead I need to make a phone call,"

Simon gets up and walks to the back door. on his way, he grabs the wool knit blanket from earlier and wraps it around his shoulders before exiting through the door.

he scrolls through his contacts and locates Price's number. his finger hovers over the call button and hesitates before pressing the call button.

he holds the phone to his ear thinking about the words he needs to express to him.

"Evening, Lt,"

"Captain,"

"What can I do for you, Ghost?"

"I need to discuss a delicate matter with you, operation terminate.

The other end of the line is silent for a few minutes before Price speaks once more, 

"Are you positive,"

"Yes,"

"Both of you?"

"Yes,"

"Hmmm..., where are you?"

"Manchester,"

"Can I meet up with you, I'm in Leeds,"

"Tomorrow?"

"Sounds Good, Lt,"

"Are you sure about your decision, What about Soap?"

"Yes, I'm positive, we both are,"

"Okay then, where should we meet?"

"The border of Manchester?"

"See you then, goodnight Lt,"

"Goodnight, Captain,"

Simon releases a heavy sigh in relief. He looks up at the sky as Johny did earlier that evening mesmerized by the glittering stars above. minutes pass as he hears John and his mother talking in the kitchen behind him.

The back door swings open and he hears heavy footsteps coming his way.

"Enjoying yourself love,"

"I suppose I am, Simon,"

A familiar voice echoes behind him. he turns to face the voice.

"Uncle Patrick?"

"That's my name don't wear it out,"

"Sorry thought you were someone else,"

"You mean your soon-to-be fiance in the kitchen, bubbling about with your mother?"

Simon grins happily as he glances at the kitchen window.

"Yeah, that would be him,"

"I'm happy for you, Simon, you deserve to be happy for once in your life,"

"You not upset that I'm..., you know,"

"I'm not your father, Simon, I can't care less if you straight,"

Patrick stands next to him, hand deep in his pocket looking up at the sky,"

"Beautifull night,"

"Yes, it is,"

"Listen Simon I was here this morning when your mother called you, I overheard your conversation with her and your intentions with that Scotsman inside,"

"What you on about, Uncle Patrick?"

"Here, I want to give you this,"

He pulls his hand out of his pocket and gestures to Simon to hold out his hand. he does as requested and Patrick places a gold band in his palm.

"What's this then?"

"It was my father's, your grandfather's wedding band, I never had children of my own and my wife had passed away years ago as you know, so I want to give it to you,"

"Uncle...,"

"Propose already, don't think I haven't heard you lot this afternoon,"

"You mean you...?"

"Yes, don't need to worry your secrets are safe with me, after all, we all have skeletons in the closet,"

Patrick taps him on his shoulder before giving him a gentle squeeze. Simon reached out his hand requesting Patrick to take hold of his, they curled their palms together shaking their hands firmly.

"Thank you,"

"Don't mention it, Simon,"

"Seriously, uncle I do appreciate it,"

They released their hands and continued staring up at the sky. Patrick shoved his hands back into his pockets and Simon clenched the blanket tight around his person.

"Going back now, Simon,"

"Okay, uncle, thanks again,"

"Don't worry about it, lad,"

Patrick walks back to the house leaving heavy footprints in the grass behind him as he walks. Simon looked up at the sky again before the back door slammed shut behind Patrick. Not too soon the door swings open once more.

A few seconds and heavy footsteps come his way once more. two arms curl around his waist hugging him tight.

"Is that you, Johnny?"

"Aye, the one and only,"

Simon chuckles happily before nudging John to his front, overlapping his arm over his chest and covering him with the blanket.

"I take it you've met my uncle, then?"

"Aye, I did, I see where you get your mysterious side from,"

"Johnny, how serious are you about marrying me?"

John turns around in his arms looking up into his dark eyes.

"Very serious, Si,'

Simon recoils his arms from him and bends down to one knee pulling the gold band from his pocket. 

"John MacTavish, will you do me the honour of becoming my husband?"

"What, are you serious?"

"I'm always serious, Johnny,"

John's eyes fill with tears as he leaps into Simon's arms forcing him to fall to the ground. he buries his face in Simon's chest hugging him tight before looking him in the eyes. He nudged himself upward meeting Simon's lips and kissed him gently.

"Is that a yes, then?"

"Aye, of course it is!"

Simon Sat back up dragging John with him.

"Here give me your hand, Johnny,"

John reached his hand out to Simon as he took hold of his palm. Simon slips the ring over his finger letting it rest on the base.

John Sprouts a toothy smile admiring the gold band circling his ring finger. 

"Mr. John Riley, What do you think, Si?"

"You're going to take my name?"

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I?"

Simon cracks a smile letting it curl over his face as he pulls John gently into him curling his arms around him and hugging him tight planting kisses along his cheek.

"I love you, Simon,"

"I love you more, Johnny,"

later they stand up together as Simon curls his arm around John's shoulder blanket in hand rubbing his arm warmly. They walk back inside and head for the sitting room where the fire is still cracking warmly, Margret is curled up on the couch with a romance novel not noticing their arrival.

"Mum, I would like to introduce the future, Mr. John Riley,"

Margret drops her book curling her fingertips over her lips before letting out a heavy gasp.

"No, you didn't, Simon!"

She squealed overjoyed sprinting from the couch and leaping to them curling her arms around their necks and hugging them tight.

"Let me see, John,"

John holds out his hand as the ring glitters on his finger, Margret looks at the ring and a smile beams over her face.

"Pat, you old devil,"

"Guess I should call you, Mom, Margret?"

"Please do, John,"

"Oh, Simon, come here,"

She curls her arms around him hugging him tight before planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Finally it happened to you, my son,"

Simon smiles as his chin trembles slightly. 

"no, none of that,"

John curled his arm around Simon's waist resting his palm on his hip and nudging himself into him as Simon curled his arm around his back allowing him to rest his head in his armpit.

"Why don't we all retire for the night, it's getting late innit?"

Simon agrees with his mother and John lets out a heavy yawn. 

"Okay then, Simon your room is ready for you and try to be quiet,"

Margret winks at them as she exits the room before walking up the stairs and heading to her bedroom.

"I see what you mean, Johnny,"

"Told you, you get it from her,"

Simon slides his arms under John and picks him up carrying him bridal style up the stairs. and down the corridor in the direction of his bedroom. 

"Would you mind opening the door, Johnny?"

"Sure thing, Si,"

He turns the knob letting the door swing open, Simon walks to the bed and gently lay him down pressing a kiss to his forehead before walking back to the door and closing it behind him.

He walks back to the bed and sits next to John letting out a heavy sigh as he turns looking over his shoulder.

"Tired?"

"Aye, I am,"

"Want to go to sleep, Love?"

"Only if you'll join me, Si?"

Simon Smiles happily as he kicks off his boots and unzips his hoodie. he turns to John removes his Boots and unbuckles his belt gently pulling his jeans from his person.

"Can I keep your hoodie on, Si?"

"Of course, Puppy," 

Simon undressed his tracksuit bottoms and pulled the T-shirt from his torso leaving only his briefs.

"Ready for bed, Puppy?"

"Aye, I am,"

John gets up and pulls the bedding open crawling inside making himself comfortable as Simon soon follows. he turned and switched the side lamp off next to the bed, he returned to his position curled his arm around John's waist and gently pulled him into his person as he rested his head on the pillows.

A heavy breath passes over Simon's lips as John curls his arm over Simon's forearm sliding his fingers in between his.

A few minutes passed as the moon shone through the open window illuminating the room. The scene felt familiar to Simon, it took him back to the first night he spent at John's.

Not too soon John fell asleep first snuggling in Simon's arms feeling content in his warmth. Simon remained awake for a few more minutes enjoying the scent of John before he fell asleep, as their hearts beat in sync with each other.

end of part 9.