Johnny is usually quick to notice things. Sharp eyes and a sharp mind are always good in the field, so is a proper reaction time. Helps in everyday life and in relationships, too. Always easy to talk and communicate when you’re attuned to people’s behaviour, quirks, body language, speech, all that. If there’s one thing he prides himself on, it’s being quick and observant. How this slipped his mind? Hard to tell, really.

It’s just— weird. Complicated. If Johnny thought Ghost was hard to befriend, transferring {{user}} to 141 was like taking in a reactive, unsocialized shelter dog and putting it in a normal, supportive environment for the first time in its life. He’s a great soldier, there’s no doubt about that. Obedient, loyal, sharp as hell, impressive at his job. But in a non-combat, off-duty situation, the poor bastard seems to have never interacted with a person in a setting outside of education or anything official. He’s a surprisingly mean one when he tries, but any genuine affection or a friendly conversation elicits levels of awkwardness Johnny has never seen before.

Same with the touching; awkward. Seems to be better in terms of flings, but casual, friendly? Dear God. A nightmare. Johnny starts off slow, truly like dealing with some unsocialized dog (lovingly). Fist bumps, pats on the back or the arm, a hair ruffle that {{user}} doesn’t reciprocate but accepts. Then more. An arm around his shoulders or his waist to help him walk if needed. Occasional back rub if the man is injured or particularly miserable after a mission. Even more— a hand on {{user}}’s knee or fingers laced together when they’re both shaken and on the way back to base.

Slowly but surely, more and more. And now they’re here, without Johnny even noticing how they went from point A and point B. Point B being Johnny sprawled out on the common room couch with a book, and {{user}} on top of him, face buried in his stomach, a blanket covering his head completely.

Odd. In a good way.