Midnight River

Lost Count

Gemma's pov
Song inspo shivers by Ed sheeran

"Never have I ever? What are we, teenagers?" He teased with a laugh, though was readying his glass in his hand anyways.

"Do you want to play or not?" I asked back. It would be easier than just fling back and forth with questions about each other. I wanted to know more about him too, wanted to know if he was broken underneath that happy persona or if it was just me. Not that I had the persona, I just was who I was. I'd prove to him I wasn't the type of person he wanted to make friends with.

"I do." He admitted, meeting my gaze as I spoke. There weren't too many Scots on base, and I found myself preferring his accent over the usual British ones I was used to.

"Never have I ever killed someone…on purpose." I started us off, adding the little bit on the end so I wouldn't have to drink myself. I hadn't really killed anyone, just failed at keeping them alive.

He drank, I wasn't surprised. I'm sure at this point he had lost count of the men he had taken down.

"Never have I ever brought a coworker to the bar until now." Oh, he was cheeky. I may not have had the accent but I'd picked up on a few things in the years I'd lived here.

I didn't drink, I think he was expecting me too. He had to drink though, and had a small pout about it.

"Don't feel special, you were right place right time." I reminded him, thinking on my next question.

"Never have I ever dated a coworker." I said but it was me drinking this time instead of him. There were few woman on base, but looking like he did I found it hard to believe they hadn't gone after him. Especially with that happy go lucky attitude. Something told me he was more than that though.

"Never have I ever found John Mactavish attractive." I felt heat rush to my cheeks at the questions. Either he was confident enough to be that forward or dumb enough. Maybe this game wasn't a good idea.

I drank as he did and spotted the smirk on his lips.

"You would easily admit you find yourself attractive." I muttered as we placed our now empty glasses on the bar for a refill.

"Don't you find yourself attractive?" He asked, raising his brow.

I had to think about it. I didn't think I was unattractive, but I would have described myself as average or plain.

"You are." He added before I could answer and it was my turn to give him a look.

"And you're either a lightweight or trying to get laid." I said back. He was either too nice, naturally flirty or just looking to get it in. Maybe a bit of it all. I suddenly was less sure of him.

"Definitely not the latter, though maybe a bit of the first." He said. "I didn't mean anything by it, just thought you should know." Soap added then, chewing on his bottom lip suddenly unsure of himself and I suddenly felt guilty.

"Listen, you're cute. Maybe a little funny but this," I gestured in between us. "Is just two people keeping each other company for a few drinks. Don't expect to ever see me again unless you're under the knife." I told him, wishing I hadn't said the last part.

"Why are you so keen on pushing people away?" His tone was serious then, concerned almost.

"Because when you get too close to people, they leave. One way or another." I answered, the liquor in my system making it a little easier to answer his question. It was the truth.

If we became friends he could never really promise that he'd always come home, that he'd always be safe. No one that did the kind of work he did could and I wished I would have learned that after I lost lt dad.

"Sure they do. And it hurts. But the loss of them doesn't mean it wasn't worth for all the other time." He explained and I couldn't lie, I was surprised that someone like him could get so deep. Not that I knew him well, but it still surprised me.

I disagreed but I didn't want to tell him that.

"C'mon, it's your turn." John said as he picked up his freshly filled glass.

"Never have I ever thought about moving back home.' I asked, giving in to him. He didn't hesitate to drink and I wondered if he had family back in Scotland. Most of the soldiers I knew didn't have much of a family.

I didn't drink. My mom was still in the states but our relationship was rocky and I enjoyed it here more.

"Never have I ever downed my glass and danced to this song." He said, the mischievous smile returning to his face.

"What?" I said, confused. I watched him as he downed his glass. How many had we had at that point? John gestured for me to do the same then and it seemed he wouldn't explain until I did so I complied, throwing the drink back. That was a mistake.

"C'mon bonnie lass, let's make it true?" He moved to stand then and hold out his hand. He was joking right? Maybe he was just a lightweight like he'd admitted. Then again I couldn't remember the last time I'd had more than one drink.

"What does that even mean?" I questioned as I found myself moving to stand and placing my hand in his. Was I really doing this? I wanted a distraction didn't I?

"I'll tell you some other time." He muttered and I wanted to tell him there wouldn't be another time but I also didn't want to argue.

John led me to the open floor, spinning me around before he pulled me a little closer. The move earned us a few whistles from the few other people at the bar though if I had been just one more drink deep the spinning would have been the end of me.

Whatever song was playing, I didn't know it but it was some type of pop or something, not too fast and not too slow. He mumbled along with the words and I found myself trying to head him as he moved us around to the rhythm.

"The chorus is coming up, follow my lead and go with the flow." He said to me, like I could dance or something.

"Ooh, I love it when you do it like that and when you're close up, give me the shivers." He sang along as it picked up, spinning me again and pulling back.

I let out a laugh and his smile widened.

"What's so funny?"

"I just didn't expect you to be able to sing and dance." I teased, the alcohol warming me as it moved through my system.

"I'm full of surprises." He said quietly as he pulled me close to dip me back.

"If you do that again I'm gonna puke." I warned him as he pulled me back up, though there was a smile on my face. When was the last time I had fun like this?

He was a good distraction.

The bridge came in then and I felt myself loosen up, moving with him instead of just following his flow.

"Oh, baby, you wanna dance till the sunlight cracks," He continued when the chorus came back in, meeting my gaze. Why did his accent have to sound so good. "And when they say the party's over, then we'll bring it right back."

"Aren't you injured?" I asked once the song was over and we were back on our seats, ready for another drink.

"Alcohol does wonders for pain." Soap explained with a wink.

It sure did.

-notes
There's nothing I wouldn't do to see Soap do the Shivers line dance 🤤🤤🤤