Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 33: Locker Room

Soap's POV:

The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the base as we made our way back from training. The day's drills had been grueling, but my body thrummed with the satisfaction of hard work. Ghost walked beside me, his usual silent presence somehow distressing and comforting at the same time. We didn't need to talk; the camaraderie was there in the shared silence, the easy strides, and the occasional glance.

We reached the locker room, and the familiar scent of sweat and soap (no pun intended) greeted us. I peeled off my gloves and tossed them onto the bench, glancing over at Ghost. He was already at his locker, methodically undoing the straps on his vest.

There was something almost hypnotic about the way he moved, every action precise and deliberate. I found myself staring, my gaze tracing the lines of his muscled arms, the way his back flexed as he shrugged off the heavy vest. He turned slightly, and I caught sight of his face, partially hidden by his mask. For a moment, I wondered what he looked like underneath.

"Something on your mind, Soap?" His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. His eyes, sharp and discerning, were locked onto mine.

I felt a flush creep up my neck, spreading across my cheeks. "Just thinkin' about the mission," I lied, quickly looking away and focusing on my own gear.

Ghost chuckled softly, a rare sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Sure you were."

I busied myself with my boots, feeling the heat of his gaze still on me. The locker room was almost empty, the rest of the team having cleared out already. It was just the two of us, and the silence felt charged, like the air before a storm.

As I stripped off my shirt, I couldn't resist sneaking another glance at Ghost. He had his back to me, the top half of his suit peeled down to his waist, revealing a sculpted torso crisscrossed with scars. Each one told a story, a history of battles fought and survived. I wondered if he ever thought about them, if they haunted him like mine did.

"What's the matter, Soap? Never seen a man undress before?" Ghost's voice was teasing, but there was an edge to it.

I turned my attention back to my own locker, my heart hammering in my chest. "Just makin' sure you're not hiding any extra weapons on ya, mate," I shot back, trying to sound casual.

He snorted. "If I was, you'd never know."

I laughed, the tension easing a bit. This was how we were, how we coped. A little teasing, a little humor to keep the darkness at bay.

Ghost finished undressing and grabbed a towel, heading for the showers. I followed, unable to stop my eyes from lingering on the way his muscles moved beneath his skin. I mentally cursed myself for the thousandth time. What the hell was wrong with me?

The water was scalding hot, but it felt good, washing away the grime and sweat. I closed my eyes, letting the steam envelop me. My mind wandered back to the locker, to the feeling of Ghost pressed against me, the way his breath had hitched when he—

"Daydreaming again, Johnny?" Ghost's voice cut through the fog of my thoughts.

I blinked, realizing I'd been standing under the water for too long. "Just enjoyin' the shower, mate. Not like you to interrupt a man's peace."

Ghost stepped into the adjacent stall, and I could feel his presence even through the dividing wall. "Just making sure you're not falling asleep in there."

We finished up and headed back to the benches. As I toweled off, I couldn't help but glance over at Ghost again. This time, he caught me. His eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Something you wanna say, Soap?"

I felt my face heat up again. "Just wonderin' if you've always been this much of a pain in the ass."

He laughed, a deep, genuine laugh that made my heart skip a beat. "Only when I'm around you."

I tossed my towel at him, and he caught it easily, throwing it back with a smirk. "Careful, Ghost. People might start to think you like me."

He moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "And what if I do?"

The air between us crackled with tension. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. Ghost was standing so close now, I could see the flecks of gold in his eyes, the faint stubble on his jaw. My heart pounded, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He leaned in, his voice low and rough. "You're turning red, Johnny. Something on your mind?"

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "Just... thinking about the mission."

His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Sure you are."

We stood there for a moment, the silence stretching out between us. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, the scent of soap and skin filling my senses. I wanted to reach out, to touch him, but I didn't dare.

Finally, Ghost stepped back, breaking the spell. He grabbed his clothes and started dressing, his movements quick and efficient. "Better get some rest, Soap. Big day tomorrow."

I nodded, my heart still racing. "Yeah. See you in the morning."

As he walked away, I couldn't help but watch him go, a thousand thoughts swirling in my mind. What the hell was happening between us?