Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 43: Worry

Ghost's POV:

The week leading up to the mission felt like an eternity. Each day was a reminder of the dangerous task ahead, the looming threat casting a shadow over everything. But I was determined to make the most of the time we had, to push down the anxiety and focus on the present. And that meant spending every possible moment with Soap.

The sun was barely up when we started our day, the early morning light casting a golden hue over the base. We were in the mess hall, grabbing breakfast before heading out for another round of training. Soap was already at the table, his hair still damp from a quick shower, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked up at me.

"Morning, Ghost," he said, his voice warm and familiar.

"Morning, Johnny," I replied, sitting down next to him, our shoulders brushing. I could feel the tension in my chest ease slightly just being near him.

We ate in companionable silence for a while, the hum of conversation around us a comforting backdrop. But the weight of the upcoming mission was never far from my mind, and I found myself glancing at Soap more often than usual, as if trying to memorize every detail.

"So," he said after a while, breaking the silence. "What's the plan for today?"

I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "Same as always. Training, prep, more training."

He rolled his eyes, a playful grin spreading across his face. "You make it sound so exciting."

I chuckled, nudging him with my elbow. "Just trying to keep things interesting."

As the day went on, we moved from one training exercise to the next, the routine familiar yet tinged with a sense of urgency. I stayed close to Soap, my protective instincts on high alert. Every time he laughed, every time he smiled, it felt like a small victory, a way to push back the fear that gnawed at my insides.

We were in the middle of a particularly grueling drill when I saw my opportunity. Soap was focused, his brow furrowed in concentration as he worked through the obstacle course. I moved in close, waiting until he was just about to leap over a wall before leaning in and whispering in his ear.

"Bet you'd love to be under me, wouldn't you, Johnny?"

He stumbled, his face turning bright red as he nearly missed his step. "Ghost!" he hissed, his voice a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound light and genuine. "What? Just trying to motivate you."

He glared at me, but the corners of his mouth twitched, betraying his amusement. "You're unbelievable."

As the day wore on, the teasing continued, a welcome distraction from the looming mission. We moved through our drills and exercises, our banter keeping the mood light. But beneath the surface, I could feel the tension building, the unspoken fear that this could be our last week together.

In the afternoon, we took a break, sitting on the edge of a training field, the sun high in the sky. Soap was leaning back on his elbows, his eyes half-closed as he soaked in the warmth.

"You know," I said, my voice low, "I've been thinking."

"That's dangerous," he quipped, but there was a softness in his tone.

I ignored the jibe, my gaze steady on him. "I want you to promise me something."

He opened one eye, looking at me curiously. "What's that?"

"If things get bad out there, you stay close to me. Don't do anything stupid. Just stay close."

He sighed, sitting up and turning to face me fully. "Simon, you can't protect me from everything. We both know that."

"I know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I have to try."

He reached out, his hand covering mine. "We'll be alright."

I nodded, the knot of fear in my chest easing slightly. "Yeah.."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of training and preparation, the hours slipping away too quickly. As evening approached, we found ourselves back in the mess hall, grabbing dinner with the team. The atmosphere was tense, everyone acutely aware of the mission that loomed on the horizon.

Soap, ever perceptive, noticed my preoccupation. He stayed closer than usual, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of my thoughts. I tried to push down the anxiety, to focus on the moment, but it was always there, lurking at the edges of my mind.