Johnny first notices Ghost’s uncanny ability to sense danger on their way back to Alejandro’s base from the Gulf of Mexico. He doesn’t quite understand what he’s noticing, if he’s perfectly honest, but there’s just something that suddenly shifts between Ghost and Graves that he doesn’t understand. It’s not like Ghost is very friendly to anyone though, so he decides he must just be putting too much thought into it - after all, this was a close call. They barely stopped the missile in time and despite Johnny feeling in high spirits, he’s gotten used to the fact that Ghost doesn’t celebrate success.
It’s expected. So why celebrate it?
Johnny immediately regrets his dismissal when he locks eyes with Ghost as Graves turns on them. He realizes immediately that Ghost had sensed… something. He isn’t sure if his lieutenant was aware of the exact shift, or just suspected it, until Ghost asks why. In that moment he realizes that while Simon is keenly aware of the shifts in people’s moods and behaviors, he isn’t always aware of the why behind them. He wishes he had a better answer than what he gives, but… he doesn’t. He has no way to explain to Simon why Shepherd is sending Graves after them. He has no way to explain why Graves is going on a murder spree. He has no fucking way to explain why Graves went from offering them high fives to shooting him in the shoulder in about six hours. There are not answers at the time he’s asked, he’s just as in the dark, but something about the way Simon asks him is so desperate to understand that he wishes he could give him something clearer.
They get their answer, thankfully, but even if it paints them a picture, he doesn’t like what he sees.
Months later, Johnny realizes this uncanny ability of Simon’s wasn’t a one time thing. Ghost, for all his aloofness and oddities, is keenly aware of everyone’s moods. Upon walking into a room, Ghost seems to be able to pinpoint where exactly he’s wanted and needed. He can look at any one of the people around him and just… know. Even if they don’t seem to know themselves. It’s interesting to watch, as an outsider, and eventually, he’s pulled in to it himself. Simon walks into a room one day and seems to be able to see the spiral of thoughts going on in Johnny’s head; he seems to know exactly how Johnny needs him to be in that moment to help him past the moment. When they talk about it later though, again, Simon doesn’t seem to totally understand why Johnny’s mood had been so heavy, but nonetheless, he appreciates the man’s effort.
He doesn’t understand himself, this strange ability of Simon’s, and on the other side of the table, Simon doesn’t seem to understand why Johnny finds it so odd that Simon seems to be able to read him so well - read everyone so well. To Simon, it’s as natural as breathing - he’s always been able to do it. Eventually though, years later, long after Johnny has heard about Simon’s father and Roba… it clicks for Johnny. It clicks for Johnny why Simon had been so cold towards Graves before any threats were exchanged. It clicks for Johnny why Simon’s eyes dart between the faces of everyone in the room. It clicks for him why Simon is so quick to sense danger, but not understand why the danger is present.
Simon’s sense of danger was born out of a need to survive - to understand a threat that could never be predicted or deserved.
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