Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 34: Jealousy

Ghost's POV:

The day started like any other, with the sun casting its first light over the base, pulling us all out of the remnants of sleep. I dragged myself out of bed, my mind already going over the tasks for the day. The routine was comforting in its own way—a series of well-rehearsed steps that kept us sharp and ready for anything.

After breakfast, we headed out to the training grounds. The air was crisp, a slight chill hinting at the changing seasons. We went through our drills, the rhythmic exercises a familiar beat that required focus but left my mind free to wander.

That's when I first noticed her. The new medic. Tall, red hair, an easy smile that seemed to draw people in. She was chatting with Soap, her laughter ringing out over the training grounds. I felt a twinge of something in my chest, an unfamiliar tightening that I didn't want to name.

I tried to brush it off, focusing on the drills, but my eyes kept drifting back to them. Soap was his usual charming self, laughing and talking easily. They seemed comfortable, at ease with each other, and it stirred something in me that I couldn't quite shake.

As the day went on, it only got worse. I saw them again at the shooting range, Soap showing her how to handle one of the rifles. She stood close to him, too close, and he didn't seem to mind. They laughed about something, and she touched his arm lightly, a casual gesture that felt anything but casual to me.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to look away. This was ridiculous. Soap was just being friendly, as he always was. There was nothing to be jealous about. But the rational part of my mind couldn't drown out the irrational jealousy that flared up every time I saw them together.

By midday, it was getting harder to ignore. During our break, I found myself watching them again. They were sitting together, talking and laughing, and I felt that same tightness in my chest. I busied myself with cleaning my gear, trying to focus on the task at hand, but it was no use.

The afternoon training session was a blur. My focus was shot, my mind constantly drifting back to Soap and the medic. I caught glimpses of them throughout the day, each one a sharp reminder of the jealousy gnawing at me. The worst part was that I had no right to feel this way. Soap was his own person, free to talk to whoever he wanted.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the base, I found myself near the armory, inspecting my weapons. It was a calming ritual, one that usually helped me center myself. But even here, my mind wouldn't settle.

I heard footsteps and looked up to see Soap and the medic walking by. They didn't see me, their conversation engrossing them completely. She laughed at something he said, and he smiled, that easy, charming smile that he always had. The sight of it made something twist inside me, a mix of jealousy and something deeper, something I didn't want to acknowledge.

I forced myself to look away, my grip tightening on the rifle I was holding. This was getting out of hand. I needed to get a grip. Soap and I had been through too much together to let something like this get between us. But the jealousy was a persistent, gnawing presence that I couldn't seem to shake.

By the time dinner rolled around, I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. The mess hall was filled with the usual noise of chatter and laughter, a comforting backdrop that I usually found soothing. But tonight, it felt like a weight pressing down on me.

I grabbed my tray and found a seat with the rest of the team. Soap sat down next to me, his presence a familiar warmth despite the jealousy still simmering beneath the surface. He was talking animatedly with Gaz about something, his laughter ringing out over the noise of the mess hall.

I tried to focus on my food, on the conversation around me, but my mind kept drifting back to the medic. She was sitting a few tables over, talking with some of the other medics. I watched as she glanced over at Soap, her gaze lingering for just a moment before she turned back to her own conversation.

"Ghost, you alright?" Price's voice broke through my thoughts, and I looked up to see him watching me with a curious expression.

"Yeah, just fine," I replied, my tone more clipped than I intended.

He raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. "Just making sure. You seemed a bit... distracted."

I forced a smile, trying to brush it off. "Nothing to worry about. Just thinking about the next training exercise."

Price nodded, apparently satisfied with my answer, and turned back to his own meal. I glanced at Soap, who was still deep in conversation with Gaz. He seemed completely at ease, oblivious to the turmoil inside me.

As dinner came to an end, I felt a strange sense of relief. The day was almost over, and I could retreat to the quiet of my quarters, away from the constant reminders of my jealousy. Soap and I walked back together, the conversation light and easy, but the tension still simmering beneath the surface.

When we reached our quarters, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. I needed sleep, needed to clear my mind. Soap was already getting ready for bed, his movements slow and relaxed. I followed suit, trying to push aside the lingering jealousy.

As I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, I couldn't shake the image of Soap and the medic, their laughter, their easy camaraderie. The jealousy was a persistent, gnawing presence, a reminder of my own insecurities.

I turned over, closing my eyes and willing myself to sleep. Tomorrow was another day, another chance to get a grip on my emotions. But as I drifted off, the jealousy remained, a silent, unspoken weight on my mind.