Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 52: Ice Skating

Soap's POV:

We arrived at the ice skating rink, the air crisp and the atmosphere filled with the sound of laughter and the scrape of skates on ice. It had been years since I'd last seen an ice rink, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. Ghost led the way, and we found a bench to sit on while we put on our skates.

I fumbled with the laces, my fingers not quite cooperating. The skates felt foreign and uncomfortable, and I couldn't seem to get them tight enough. Ghost glanced over, noticing my struggle.

"You need help with that?" he asked, his tone amused.

I shook my head, trying to sound confident. "I've got it."

Ghost smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Yeah, sure you do. Here, let me help."

I started to protest, but he was already kneeling in front of me, his hands reaching for the laces. "I said I've got it," I insisted, but it was obvious I was fighting a losing battle.

Ghost looked up at me, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and something else—something that made my heart skip a beat. "Just let me help, Johnny."

I sighed, giving in. "Fine."

He got down on both knees in front of me, his fingers deftly working the laces. The proximity made my breath hitch, and I couldn't help but stare at him. His eyes met mine, and the tension between us was almost palpable. There was a spark of desire in his gaze, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Ghost's eyes slowly trailed from my eyes down my body, lingering for a moment before returning to the skates. He tightened the laces expertly, his touch firm but gentle. Once he was done, he looked up at me again, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"There. All set," he said, standing up and offering me his hand.

I took it, feeling a bit unsteady as I stood on the skates. "Thanks," I muttered, trying to hide my embarrassment.

Ghost led me to the edge of the rink, his hand warm and reassuring in mine. "Ready?"

I nodded, my heart racing. "Yeah, I guess."

We stepped onto the ice, and I immediately felt a wave of panic. "What if I fall and the skate slits my throat?" I blurted out, my fear getting the better of me.

Ghost chuckled, his grip on my wrist tightening slightly. "Seriously, Johnny? That's what you're worried about?"

I glared at him, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. "It's a valid concern."

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "Trust me, you'll be fine. Just take it slow."

Ghost stepped onto the ice first, moving with a grace that made it look effortless. He turned back to me, holding out his hands. "Come on, I'll help you."

I hesitated, but then took a deep breath and stepped onto the ice. The surface was slick, and I immediately felt my legs wobble. Ghost grabbed my wrists, steadying me. "Easy does it," he said, his tone encouraging.

I struggled to find my balance, my skates slipping and sliding beneath me. Ghost laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're like a newborn deer," he teased.

"Shut up," I grumbled, but I couldn't help but smile. His laughter was infectious.

Ghost guided me slowly around the rink, his hands firm on my wrists. I clung to the walls, feeling ridiculous but grateful for his support. "You can do it," he encouraged, his voice soft.

"Yeah, right," I muttered, my grip tightening on the edge of the rink.

Ghost moved closer, his hands slipping to my waist. "Here, let me help." He positioned himself behind me, his hands firm on my hips as he guided me forward. The sensation of his body so close to mine was both comforting and unnerving.

I was acutely aware of how much bigger he was than me, his presence overwhelming but reassuring. "See? You're doing great," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

We continued like that for a while, Ghost guiding me and teasing me gently whenever I stumbled. Despite my initial apprehension, I found myself starting to enjoy it. The sensation of gliding on the ice, the cold air, and Ghost's constant presence made it an oddly exhilarating experience.

"Alright, I think I've got the hang of it," I said after a while, feeling more confident.

"Let's see it then," Ghost replied, a challenge in his voice.

I pushed off from the wall, trying to move faster. For a moment, I felt like I was flying. But then my skates slipped, and I fell hard on my butt.

Ghost burst out laughing, the sound echoing around the rink. "You okay?" he called, still laughing.

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled, feeling both embarrassed and amused. "Stop laughing and help me up."

Ghost skated over, still chuckling, and grabbed me under the armpits, lifting me easily. "Come on, let's try that again."

We spent the next hour skating, falling, and laughing. Ghost's teasing was relentless, but it was always accompanied by a helping hand and an encouraging word. The more time we spent together, the more I realized how much I enjoyed his company.

Eventually, we decided to take a break. We skated over to the bench and sat down, our breath misting in the cold air. "That was fun," I admitted, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Ghost smiled, his eyes warm. "Told you it would be."