Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 36: Night Out

Ghost's POV:

The tension from the previous day still lingered in the air as we went about our routines. Training drills, equipment checks, and briefings kept us busy, but there was an unspoken weight between Soap and me that neither of us seemed ready to address. As evening approached, the team decided to blow off some steam by heading to a nearby bar. It was a rare chance to relax and forget about the pressures of our work, at least for a little while.

The bar was a short drive from the base, a small, dimly lit place that catered to soldiers looking for a brief escape. As we entered, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses greeted us, the atmosphere a stark contrast to the tension that had been building between Soap and me.

I wore my usual mask, a part of me that I rarely let down even in moments like this. It was both a shield and a comfort, a way to keep a part of myself hidden from the world. The team had gotten used to it, but I could see the occasional curious glance from newcomers like Sarah.

Soap was already talking animatedly with the others, his easy charm on full display. Sarah stood nearby, laughing at something he said, her presence a constant, gnawing reminder of the jealousy that had been eating at me. I decided not to drink, not wanting to lose the thin veneer of control I still had.

We found a spot near the back of the bar, leaning against the wall as the others settled at a table. Soap and I exchanged a few words, the conversation light but tinged with the unresolved tension from before. He was trying to act normal, but I could see the strain in his eyes.

"Why don't you have a drink?" he asked, nudging me with his elbow.

I shook my head. "Not tonight. Just want to keep a clear head."

He nodded, but I could tell he didn't really understand. Soap had always been able to let loose in a way that I couldn't, and tonight was no different. As we talked, Sarah approached, her smile bright and inviting.

"Hey, Soap!" she called out, her voice cutting through the noise of the bar. "Come join us!"

He hesitated, glancing at me. "You coming, Ghost?"

I shook my head again. "I'll be fine here. Go on."

Soap gave me a reluctant smile before following Sarah to the table where the others were already settling in. I watched them go, feeling a strange mix of relief and frustration. The jealousy that had been gnawing at me all day flared up again as I saw Sarah offer Soap a drink, her laughter ringing out as he took it.

I leaned against the wall, my eyes tracking Soap as he moved through the crowd. He seemed to be enjoying himself, laughing and talking with Sarah and the others. But as the night wore on, I could see him start to drink more, each glass offered by Sarah and taken with a smile.

The noise of the bar was a constant backdrop, the laughter and music blending into a cacophony that made it hard to think. I stayed where I was, watching Soap and Sarah, the jealousy a persistent, gnawing presence that I couldn't shake.

Soap was clearly starting to feel the effects of the alcohol, his laughter louder, his movements less coordinated. Sarah was right there with him, her hand occasionally resting on his arm, her smile never fading. It was a casual intimacy that felt like a punch to the gut.

I pushed off the wall and made my way through the crowd, my eyes fixed on Soap and Sarah. As I approached, I saw Sarah offer him another drink, her smile bright and encouraging. Soap took it, his own smile a little too wide, his eyes a little too bright.

"Maybe you shouldn't have too much," I said, my voice cutting through the noise as I reached their table.

Sarah looked up at me, her smile faltering slightly. "We're just having fun, Ghost. Relax."

Soap glanced at me, his expression a mix of confusion and annoyance. "I'm fine, Ghost. Just enjoying the night."

I could see the alcohol taking its toll, his usually sharp eyes slightly unfocused, his movements more unsteady. Sarah seemed oblivious to the change, or maybe she just didn't care. She was too busy offering him another drink, her laughter a constant, grating sound in my ears.

"Come on, Soap," she said, her tone light and teasing. "One more won't hurt."

I stepped closer, my hand resting on the back of Soap's chair. "I think he's had enough."

Sarah's smile faded completely, replaced by a look of irritation. "What's your problem, Ghost? We're just having a good time."

Soap looked between us, the tension evident in his eyes. "Ghost, it's fine. I can handle it."

But I could see the truth in his eyes, the way they struggled to focus, the way his movements had become sluggish. The jealousy and frustration that had been building all day threatened to boil over, but I forced myself to stay calm, to keep my voice steady.

"Just looking out for you," I said, my gaze fixed on Soap. "Don't want you to regret this in the morning."

Sarah sighed, rolling her eyes. "Fine. If you're going to be such a killjoy, maybe you should leave."

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to snap back at her. This wasn't about her, or even about the drinks. It was about Soap, and the way he was being drawn into something he might not be able to handle. The jealousy was still there, but it was tempered by a genuine concern for him.

Soap looked up at me, his expression softening slightly. "Ghost, it's okay. Really. Just... let me have this."

I took a deep breath, the weight of the day pressing down on me. I wanted to pull him away, to make him see that this wasn't the way to deal with whatever was going on between us. But I could see the determination in his eyes, the stubborn resolve that had always been a part of him.

"Alright," I said quietly, my voice barely audible over the noise of the bar. "But don't push it, okay?"

Soap nodded, his smile returning, albeit a little more subdued. "I won't. Thanks, Ghost."

I stepped back, feeling a strange mix of relief and frustration. The jealousy was still there, a constant, gnawing presence that I couldn't seem to shake. But for now, I had to trust Soap, to let him make his own choices.

As I watched him turn back to Sarah, his laughter mingling with hers, I felt a pang of something deeper, something that went beyond jealousy. It was a reminder of the bond we shared, the unspoken connection that had been strained by the events of the past few days.

I leaned against the wall, my eyes still on Soap, the noise of the bar fading into the background. The night was far from over, and the tension between us was still unresolved. But for now, all I could do was watch and wait, hoping that the choices we made tonight wouldn't tear us apart.