Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 10: Always

Ghost's POV:

The hours stretched into the night, the dim glow of the hospital room's lights casting long shadows on the walls. I was supposed to be resting, but sleep was a distant hope, evading me at every turn. Every time I closed my eyes, images of Soap's battered body and tortured expressions filled my mind.

I lay on the small, uncomfortable cot in the corner of the room, staring at the ceiling. The steady beeping of the monitors was a constant reminder of Soap's fragile state. I turned over, trying to find a position that would grant me even a moment of peace, but it was useless. My thoughts kept drifting back to him.

Finally, I gave up and sat up, my eyes drawn to Soap's still form. The sight of him, so vulnerable and yet so resilient, tugged at my heart. I couldn't bear to be away from him any longer. I needed to be close, to reassure myself that he was still here, still alive.

I crossed the room quietly and sat down in the chair next to his bed. The night was silent, save for the gentle hum of the machines and the soft rhythm of Soap's breathing. I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. His skin was warm, a comforting contrast to the cold fear that gripped my heart.

"You're going to be okay," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I promise."

I leaned forward, my heart aching with a mixture of love and regret. I pressed my lips to his forehead, a secret kiss meant to convey all the emotions I couldn't put into words. The touch was brief, but it sent a wave of warmth through me, a reminder of the bond we shared.

"I'll be right here," I murmured against his skin. "Always."

I settled back into the chair, never letting go of his hand. Sleep was still a distant hope, but at least I was close to him. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the steady beat of his heart, the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Slowly, the exhaustion of the past days began to catch up with me, and I drifted into a restless sleep.

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The first rays of dawn filtered through the window, casting a soft light over the room. I stirred, blinking blearily as I tried to orient myself. The hospital room came into focus, and for a moment, I was disoriented, unsure of where I was.

Then I remembered. Johnny.

I sat up quickly, my eyes immediately finding him. And then I saw it—a small movement, a flicker of his eyelids. His eyes opened slowly, and he looked around, his gaze finally settling on me.

"Johnny?" I breathed, my voice filled with hope and disbelief.

He blinked a few times, his eyes focusing on my face. "Simon?" he whispered, his voice weak but unmistakable.

I felt a surge of emotion so powerful it almost knocked me off my feet. I stood up, my heart pounding, and leaned over the bed. "Johnny, you're awake," I said, tears of relief filling my eyes. "You're really awake."

I couldn't hold back any longer. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him as gently as I could, afraid of hurting him but needing to feel him close. "I'm so sorry," I choked out, my voice breaking. "I'm sorry for everything. For not finding you sooner. For all the pain you went through."

Soap's hand came up to rest on my back, a faint but reassuring pressure. "It's okay," he whispered, his voice raspy but comforting. "You found me. I'm right here."

I pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes. There was pain there, but also a spark of the resilience that had always defined him. "I thought I'd lost you," I said, my voice trembling. "I couldn't bear it."

He gave me a weak smile, his eyes softening. "You didn't lose me, Simon. I'm still here."

I nodded, swallowing hard to keep the tears at bay. "And I'm going to make sure you stay here."

We stayed like that for a long time, just holding each other, the unspoken bond between us stronger than ever. The fear and pain of the past weeks began to fade, replaced by a renewed sense of hope and determination.