Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 44: Overprotective

Soap's POV:

The base was buzzing with the usual pre-mission intensity, everyone moving with a purpose as we prepared for the operation at the Valley of Death. The air was thick with tension and unspoken fears, but we all kept our heads down, focused on the tasks at hand.

Over the past few days, Ghost had been acting more protective than ever, his worry radiating off him in waves. It was starting to get to me. Every time I turned around, he was there, watching, his eyes filled with a mix of anxiety and determination. I tried to brush it off, to focus on the mission, but his overbearing concern was like a weight pressing down on my chest.

We were in the middle of a briefing when I first noticed it. Ghost had been talking to Price in low, urgent tones, his body language tense. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I could see the worry etched on Ghost's face. It was clear he was trying to convince Price of something, his gestures growing more animated as the conversation went on.

"Johnny," Gaz called out, breaking my focus. "You with us?"

I blinked, shaking off the distraction. "Yeah, sorry. Just thinking."

Gaz raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "About what?"

"Nothing important," I lied, my eyes flicking back to Ghost and Price. "Just the mission."

Gaz nodded, turning back to the briefing. But my mind was elsewhere, my thoughts consumed by Ghost's behavior. He had always been protective, but this was different. It was like he was trying to shield me from something, to keep me safe from a danger he couldn't name.

After the briefing, I caught sight of Ghost pulling Price aside again, his voice low and urgent. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but the look on Price's face told me enough. He was listening, but he wasn't entirely convinced.

I approached them, my curiosity getting the better of me. "What's going on?"

Price glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "Just discussing some details about the mission."

Ghost's eyes met mine, and I could see the worry in them, the unspoken fears that had been haunting him. "Johnny, it's nothing. Just making sure we're all on the same page."

I frowned, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "It doesn't look like nothing. What are you trying to protect me from?"

Ghost sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I'm just making sure you're safe. This mission is dangerous, and I don't want anything to happen to you."

I crossed my arms, my irritation growing. "I can handle myself, Ghost. I don't need you to shield me from everything."

Price stepped in, his voice calm and measured. "Ghost is just looking out for you, Soap. We all know how dangerous this mission is."

"I get that," I replied, my voice rising. "But I don't need to be coddled. I'm a soldier, just like everyone else."

Ghost's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and worry. "It's not about coddling you, Johnny. It's about making sure you come back in one piece."

I shook my head, my frustration boiling over. "I don't need you to fight my battles for me, Ghost. I can take care of myself."

Price looked between us, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe we should all take a step back and cool off. We're all on edge right now."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yeah, maybe we should."

We parted ways, the tension still lingering in the air. I could see the strain in Ghost's eyes, the weight of his fears and the memories that haunted him. But I couldn't let his protectiveness suffocate me. I needed to be able to stand on my own, to face the dangers ahead without feeling like I was being coddled.

Later that day, I overheard Ghost talking to Price again. His voice was low and urgent, filled with a desperation that made my heart ache.

"Price, we need to take extra precautions. Johnny can't be put in unnecessary danger."

Price's voice was calm and measured. "Ghost, we all face danger. That's part of the job. You know that."

"I know," Ghost replied, his voice tight. "But this is different. I need to know he'll be safe."

I felt a flush of anger and embarrassment. Ghost was going behind my back, trying to shield me, to keep me safe like I was some fragile thing. It was infuriating and humiliating all at once.

After the briefing, I pulled Ghost aside, my frustration boiling over. "What the hell, Ghost? You think I can't handle this? You think I need you to protect me?"

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and worry. "Johnny, it's not like that. I just... I need to know you'll be okay."

I shook my head, my anger barely contained. "You can't do this. You can't keep treating me like I'm fragile. I can handle myself. I don't need you to fight my battles for me."

He reached out, his hand resting on my shoulder. "Johnny, please. I'm just trying to keep you safe."

I shrugged off his hand, my frustration spilling over. "I don't need you to keep me safe. I need you to trust me."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of hurt and determination. "I do trust you. But that doesn't stop me from worrying."

We stood there, the tension between us thick and heavy. I could see the strain in his eyes, the weight of his fears and the memories that haunted him. But I couldn't let his protectiveness suffocate me. I needed to be able to stand on my own, to face the dangers ahead without feeling like I was being coddled.

"Ghost," I said quietly, my voice filled with a mix of frustration and determination. "We need to talk. In private."