Silence in the Storm

Pseudostasis.

My hands were shaky, my heart was pounding.
I couldn't elaborate any coherent sentence to dismantle that situation, I was absolute flustered.
What I feared the most just happened.
Soap was just standing there, with an infuriated gaze circling between me and Ghost. His breathing was slow and heavy and his fists were clenched, he was clearly holding himself from lunging at Ghost and cause a scene. That sharpening silence was finally broken and a volatile feeling started to loom over. Soap reluctantly started to talk.

- What are you doing here, LT...?

- I had things to talk about with her. - Ghost calmly replied.

- Angie...? - his tone was hoarse, his eyebrows furrowed.

- I hope you don't jump into conclusions, Johnny.

- You don't owe me explanations, lass... But he does.

- I don't owe you shit, Johnny.

- Oh, really? - Soap scoffed. - What about Elise? What she would think of all this?!?

- You fucking wanker...! - Ghost was ready to lunge at Soap.

- Please, no fighting! - I threw myself in between them. - Inside; both of you, NOW!

I was becoming lightheaded; mortified that the situation was getting out of control. I hated public confrontations, and it was getting the best out of me. Other soldiers started to peep from their sliding doors, trying to see what was all that commotion about. Soap angrily walked in, literally bumping himself right onto my back, nearly making me stumble. My skin crawled when I felt his hands on my waist... Damn it!

I knew he meant to prevent my fall, but my brain was going haywire; had to recollect my thoughts and take a deep breath because I was overwhelmed. I slowly released myself from his grasp and shut the sliding door, praying for all that to end. I looked over my shoulder and saw Soap and Ghost staring at each other like two territorial cats ready to rip each other apart. I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to realign myself, to finally address that whole mess.

- Please, sit down both of you. I don't want anyone 'feeling froggy' around here.

- ...Okay. - Soap sat on the desk chair, with his eyes fixated on Ghost.

- Very well. - Ghost sat on the edge of my bed.

- Get the fuck out of her bed, you jakey eejit...!

- Go fuck yourself, Johnny.

- Shut up, both of you! - I was fuming. - You're acting like two unhinged teenagers, by the Gods!!! We have a misunderstanding going on here!

- Misunderstanding? - Soap snarled. - Ghost in someone's room at night is all I need to understand!

- Not everyone is a slag like you are. - Ghost sneered.

- What did you just call me, you screwball arsehole...?!?

They were exchanging insults back and forth, but their bodies were aching to start an altercation. It was exhausting to see them behaving like two kids like that. I decided to step in, because at this point nothing would be solved the way I preferred anyway.

- Listen here, Johnny; whatever you're thinking that happened, it clearly didn't.

- I'm not sure if I believe ye, swear to Jesus...

- Ghost came here for advice, maláka! - I was fed up. - I was at the lounge watching TV and he asked to talk to me about something personal!

- ...Happy? - Ghost scowled.

- ...Then I owe ye apologies. - Soap's gaze was sullen. - Especially to you, lassie.

- I'm out of here. - Ghost got up, walking towards the door. - Take care, Angie.

I nodded in response and saw Ghost leave. As the door slid shut, I turned my attention to Soap, who was just sitting there, feeling defeated and confused. I walked towards him, sitting on the same spot as Ghost. His blue eyes turned to my direction, like it was searching for another explanation. I knew what that could meant.

- ...Sorry, Angie. I... I was being stupid.

- Apologies accepted, Johnny. You didn't know.

- Why is he like that...?

- What do you mean? - I leaned forward.

- Nah, whatever. I didn't come here to discuss his arse.

- Did you seriously think he came here to sleep with me...? - I scoffed in disbelief.

- Hey, wait a damn minute! - he got all flustered.

- He loves his wife, Johnny. - a lopsided grin lined out on my face. - He was worried about her.

- Worried about Elise...? But why?

- Their business, Johnny.

- Ah, okay. - he pursed his lips, annoyed. - But it still bugs me, anno...

- How come that bugs you?

- They're both my best friends and teammates, but... - he scratched his mohawk. - I can't get over her. I just can't see Elise differently. And I know LT detests me because of that.

- ... ... - I kept listening.

- We're from the same task team... They love each other... They got married... I should be happy for them, no?

- He got married to your... What do you call her? Your Mo Leannan... Right?

- It sounds cute on your accent... - he chuckled.

- Thank you. But the question here is: what are you going to do?

- I have to think about it. - his expression seemed vacant. - I better leave.

- If you need a pair of ears to vent, you know where to find me.

A downward smile shyly lined out on Soap's face, but his eyes were expressing otherwise. He clearly had a lot going on in his mind in regards his connection with Elise, and that would take some time. He quietly left my room, and an unsettling silence took over. I looked at the alarm clock and it was 3:45 am. I'd clearly be having to resort to energy drinks and coffee to beat the day in a few hours...

I laid down on my bed to sleep the rest of the night, trying to shake it off all these hectic events that happened. Too much to unpack in one night.
My eyelids finally started to give in, putting me into a light slumber until the sunrise.

****************

I got out of the bed unmotivated.
I needed a shower, a huge cup of coffee and maybe something to snack before step into the clinic. My shoulders were tense and sore; the feeling of the scalding water falling on my skin brought a decent relief. I didn't separated an outfit, and such mistake would be costing the uncomfortable situation of coming out of the bathroom wrapped only in a towel.

As I stepped out of the bathroom, the chill air had hit me; such unpleasant feeling... I chose my clothing for the day and started to dress myself in a mechanical fashion. Suddenly, a jump scare just happened: my sliding door opened and silent steps were approaching. My heart skipped a beat and my blood ran cold when I saw Ghost standing in my room, arms crossed and staring at me through the skull mask. Only my bed kept us at a distance... I froze, wearing only a tank top and panties.

- ...Morning, love.

- What are you doing here?!?

- I told ya I'd be visiting you again.

- Visiting me again...?!? But how did you...Wait a second...!!! - my stomach dropped in fear. - It was YOU?!?