Midnight River

wherever you are

Soap's pov
Song inspo - home by Catie turner
(Even though Graves is in the UK and Soap isn't exactly leaving, the meaning of this song still implies)

It was early in the morning when my phone rang from the bedside table beside me. I didn't want to move from my spot, my arms wrapped around Gemma as she slept peacefully facing me, one of her legs between mine and the other loosely over my waist. I wasn't exactly sure how she was comfortable, but I wasn't going to argue with her being so close.

I always slept easy, on a cold floor or sitting up in a cabin in Russia, but with her sometimes I struggled. If only because I liked looking at her and how at ease she was when she slept, I felt the urge to stay awake to protect her, especially because I hadn't been here when she was attacked in the comfort of her own home.

The only reason I carefully pulled away from her and rolled over to grab my phone was because I didn't want the sound to wake her. The past few days had been bliss, her mother having left the day after she arrived. She didn't want to intrude and while I had been happy to get to know the woman who, at first, didn't seem to like the idea of me, I wanted to be alone with Gemma more.

I understood now how Ghost and Senna got into their own little world when we had time off, when we were able to stay home. We'd created a bubble, where it was just the two of us, and Beans.

I'd almost forgotten we were waiting for it to burst. It took a second for the name on the screen to register as my eyes adjusted to the brightness in the dark.

"Senna." I greeted tiredly and quietly, as to not wake Gem,  but I could feel her stirring behind me.

"Johnny. We found him." Senna said from the other side of the phone and that woke me up a bit more. I stood and moved out of the bedroom, not because I wanted to keep anything from Gem but because I at least wanted to process it first.

"Where?" I asked.

"You both need to get back to base, we'll meet you there and come up with a plan."  She didn't answer my question and that made me uneasy.

"Where?" I asked again, a little more demanding.

She sighed before answering. "He's here."

At her answer I almost dropped my phone but was wicked to grip it tighter just as Gem was stepping out of her bedroom to find me.

"Alright, we'll be there in a bit. Be careful."

"You too." She said and then hung up.

Here? I felt my pulse speed up a bit at this new information. Graves was ultimately after Senna, we all knew that. But that didn't mean he'd come after the rest of us, or Gemma, especially because he was the type to seem like he enjoyed finishing what he started.

Just the thought of him putting his or one of his dogs' grimey hands on her made my blood boil. I was much better at controlling my anger compared to my teammates, but I'd never felt more protective over someone like I felt with Gem. I'd let Senna have Graves, she deserved that, but if he tried anything again, she'd have to share.

"What's wrong?" Gem said and if I hadn't already been focusing on Graves I would have taken better notice of how adorable her tired voice was.

She stepped closer, just wearing a t shirt and her underwear and I immediately was wishing for more time. As much as I wanted to end this entire thing, I wanted more to crawl back into bed with her.

"They found Graves." I told her, trying my best to act calm. I reached out and cupped her cheek and that helped a bit, her cool skin against my own that was burning.

I could see the realization settle in her eyes as she took in my answer and she pulled her lower lip in between her teeth.

"So you have to leave?" She questioned.

"Not exactly." I said with a sigh, my hand returning to my side. "He's in the UK. We both need to get back to base."

She seemed a little confused at first but once it made sense her bi colored eyes widened just a bit. There was perhaps a little bit of fear, and then a flash of anger that she felt that way. She didn't want to be scared and I wanted to be a reason she didn't have to be.

"I'll get dressed and ready." Gem muttered but as she turned to return to the bedroom, I reached out to pull her back to me, lifting her up in my arms. She didn't hesitate to wrap her arms and legs around me and I carried her the short distance to the kitchen where I sat her on the counter.

"What are you doing?" She questioned as I stood between her legs and let myself lean into her. Her hands stayed on my shoulders, fingertips tracing the scars there.

"I don't want to go yet." I answered her, my voice muffled as I had pressed my face into her neck. At my words, her hold tightened on me, pulling me closer. I could tell she felt safe, even knowing Graves could be anywhere, knowing he could be close, she trusted me to keep her safe.

I'd never let her feel any other way.

She didn't argue, just stayed there as she held me, fingers moving back and forth through my hair. She made me feel safe too, calm.

"You can end this, and then we can come home. For good." Gem finally said and I pulled back just enough so that I could meet her gaze. She said the word 'home' like I belonged here too, with her.

I'd never bothered getting a place off base, I didn't see the need. When I did have time off, long enough to go anywhere, I went home to Scotland. But I liked the idea of having a home here too. With her.

"Mo chridhe." I muttered quietly as her hands cupped my face, bringing me in until her lips pressed against mine. The kiss was soft, slow.

"John." She said back against my lips and that made me really not want to leave as soon as we needed to. I kept my hands planted on the side of the counter, knowing that if I let myself touch her I'd be long gone.

We'd gotten drunk the first time we spent any time together but I didn't need alcohol to experience the feeling. She was more than potent enough for me, more addicting than anything else. 

-notes

Sorry for the wait my little sloots been a busy weekend, but I have good news!

A close friend and I have decided to start a little 'book club' discord to bring together readers, and writers to create our own little community.

Not only will you be able to talk about your favorite books (dark romance paranormal, crime/thriller and more) with like minded people, but there is also an entire category dedicated to fanfic!

I will have my own channel there were you amazing people can get sneak peaks, ask questions and chat directly with me to find out the juice details of all of my fanfics and upcoming ones as well.

And if you're a fan fiction writer you can request your own channel and do the same!

Were still working on getting everything setting up but can't wait to see you there!!

Here's an invite link

https://discord.gg/qTUySaYAvq

And as always, thanks for being here 💜