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Ghost always preferred tea over coffee.
Tea was something soothing and calming, something he could drink to fall asleep easier. He enjoyed the taste which was kind of herbal and pleasant on his tongue. Even the process of making it, the routine of waiting for the tea leaves to do their magic, pouring just a bit of milk, waiting for the tea to cool off just a bit so it didn't burn his lips.
Tea was a luxury, something he did because he wanted to, but he also did it rarely for the exact same reason. He rarely felt the need to satisfy himself with things he just simply enjoy.
Coffee on the other hand was a necessity. Something he had to pour into himself usually boiling hot and straight out of the kettle. The beverage was bitter and heavy on his pallet, almost nauseating and leaving this awful aftertaste in his mouth.
But it was necessary for him to drink it. He needed it to wake up and get through the day after a night of terrors.
He for a long time didn't understand how Soap could enjoy this.
But then he noticed Soap making his coffee every morning.
Taking his time every morning.
Sometimes adding various syrups
chocolate,
ice,
and whipped cream.
Ghost at some points doubted if Soap was for sure still drinking coffee.
But he was curious, so one morning he asked Soap to make him a cup too.
And he was surprised when Johnny asked him "With what Lt?".
And Ghost realized that he had no idea what he actually enjoyed. He never paid attention to those things, he never actually bought anything for himself 'just because he thought he would like it' except tea.
So he told Soap to surprise him. And he actually did.
Because when Soap's coffee wasn't even close to his tea, he did enjoy it.
It was sweet, creamy and cool- maybe even refreshing.
So he began to ask Soap for coffee every morning. And with time he developed a taste for things. An enjoyment for a chocolate latte with whipped cream and brown sugar sprinkled on top.
Yes, it was atrocious and probably shouldn't even be called a coffee. But he liked it.
And he noticed that Johnny started to serve him small snacks with his latte.
Some he despised, some he liked and some became his absolute favourite. Soap would always get him more of those which made Ghost mutter in approval or close his eyes in enjoyment.
Soon Soap could vaguely say which snacks Ghost would enjoy.
They learned Ghost likes milk chocolate but not dark chocolate. He didn't like gummies and banana-flavoured things- it tastes artificial.
Soap cringed when he bought some liquorice candy for Ghost, just to fuck with him a bit just to realize that the bastard actually loved that black excuse of a candy.
But what was nice was the fact that when they were both on supply runs, Ghost began to... kind of look longer at things at the store. He never actually took those things himself- but Soap was always sure to snatch those things and put them in their cart.
Ghost silently appreciated that.
It was a long road for Ghost to learn that he can have nice things just because he feels like it.
But one special day in a grocery store, when he and Soap were already heading to check out. Ghost stopped and grabbed a pack of marshmallows and before he put it in the cart he looked at Soap like he would be denied this sweet snack.
But Soap only smiled at him.
"Didn't know you like marshmallows, Lt."
"I don't know if I do... I never had them."
"Well, it's a great time to try!"
And Soap smiled the whole way to base because Ghost finally wanted something for himself.