Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 22: Cold

Soap's POV:

I woke up in the middle of the night, my body shivering uncontrollably. The cold had seeped through every layer of clothing, wrapping itself around me like a relentless, icy vice. My breath came in shallow puffs, each exhale visible in the frigid air.

I tried to shift quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone, but the rustle of my sleeping bag was louder than I intended. A moment later, I heard a soft, familiar voice beside me.

"Soap? You awake?" Ghost's voice was low and groggy, but there was a hint of concern in it.

"Yeah," I muttered, my teeth chattering despite my efforts to keep them still.

He turned towards me, the outline of his face barely visible in the dim light filtering through the cracked windows. "You alright? You sound like you're freezing."

"I'm fine," I lied, trying to sound convincing. "Just a bit cold."

"Bit cold, my ass," he said, a smirk evident in his tone. "You're shivering like crazy."

I rolled my eyes, though I knew he couldn't see it. "Shut up, Ghost."

He chuckled softly, the sound warm in the icy air. "Why don't you come closer? You'll warm up quicker."

"I'm good," I insisted, though the idea was tempting. The thought of being closer to him, feeling his warmth, was almost too appealing.

"Sure you are," he teased. "Come on, Soap. You're going to freeze to death over there. Or are you too scared to get close to me?"

His taunt struck a chord, a mix of challenge and playfulness that made it hard to refuse. "I'm not scared," I muttered.

"Then prove it," he said, his voice gentle but insistent. "Come here."

I hesitated, my pride warring with the undeniable cold. Finally, I sighed and shifted closer, my sleeping bag rustling as I moved. I stopped just short of touching him, the space between us a fragile barrier.

"Closer," he said softly. "You're not going to warm up from over there."

I swallowed my pride and moved the last few inches, feeling the immediate difference as his body heat mingled with mine. The warmth was a welcome relief, but it was the proximity to him that made my heart race.

"There," he murmured, his breath warm against my cheek. "Not so bad, is it?"

I could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken bond between us crackling with electricity. "Shut up," I said again, but there was no real heat in my words.

He chuckled softly and shifted slightly, his arm slipping around my back. The touch was gentle, soothing, and I felt myself relax despite the cold. His hand moved in slow, comforting circles, the motion lulling me into a state of calm.

"You're doing so good, Johnny," he whispered, his voice a soft rumble. "Just relax."

I let out a shaky breath, the tension slowly easing from my muscles. The cold was still there, but it was bearable now, tempered by his warmth and his touch. I closed my eyes, focusing on the feel of his hand on my back, the steady rhythm of his breathing.

"See?" he said softly. "Not so scary, after all."

I smiled, the gesture hidden in the darkness. "You're still a pain in the ass."

He laughed quietly, the sound vibrating through me. "And you love it."

We fell into a comfortable silence, the night pressing in around us but the cold no longer feeling so oppressive. The closeness, the simple act of being near him, was enough to chase away the worst of the chill.

As I drifted back towards sleep, I felt a strange sense of contentment. The mission, the cold, all of it faded into the background, leaving just the two of us in this small, shared space.