I have been really craving more 09 soapghost recently (they mean so much to me). And to extend on this, I have been thinking very hard about Riley and Tav going to his home for the holidays, where the whole MacTavish Clan is; all four of Mac's sisters, their kids, husbands and his Ma's damn dog that refuses to leave him alone (which Riley finds endlessly amusing).
Riley is of course greeted at the door by his Ma's enthusiastic "My Simon!" as he's ushered in, leaving John with duffel sling over his shoulder and several carrier bags filled with wrapped presents; his Ma is of course quick to also snatch him into a hug but John has long accepted that Riley was the favourite (even though his mam refuses to confirm-- Mac is okay with this, Riley is his favourite too).
Riley would quickly be dragged into his sisters' antics, and Mac would pretend to be irritated by the endless teasing if it wasn't clear how comfortable Riley was and if he didn't enjoy just how easy a genuine smile would find its way on his face.
He'd enjoy watching Riley with the kids, whether it's playing pretend, or reading a book with all four of them cuddled up either side of him, little Mattie in his lap, with his head tilted back as he stared up at Riley's in apparent wonder (John could relate): occasionally he'd catch Riley with a sad far away look on his face and his heart would ache in a way that he's truly never understand; he would have liked to meet Tommy-- Riley is adamant that he would have liked him.
They'd wake up in his childhood room, because his Mam refused to change it ("that's my little boys room, what use have I an empty room without memories" she'd say like she had hundreds of times before), and it still looked exactly the same as it had when he had enlisted at 16.
He'd be in bed with Riley still passed out, hogging all the blankets as he was wont to do, and he would simply watch as the man slept on, face lax and uncovered (something that only happened when they were off the barracks and together), though hidden in the side of MacTavish's chest; he'd watch and make the same promise he always did-- that some time in the future they'd have this every day, no missions, not life or death, just a warm bed and a lazy morning.
John would save the silence, holding onto it for a little while longer... And then a crash would happen outside his door, followed by high child-like laughter and the repetitive rapping of knuckles on the door as a sister would shout at him to get his ass out of bed.
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