Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 62: Valley

Soap's POV:

The darkness of the Black Forest was oppressive, wrapping around us like a suffocating cloak as we moved deeper into enemy territory. Every step felt heavier, each breath drawn tighter in my chest. The canopy above blocked out most of the light, leaving us shrouded in shadows as we followed the narrow path through the trees. The ground was uneven, covered in thick roots and underbrush that made every step a calculated risk.

Ghost was close—too close, really—but I didn't mind. His presence was grounding, a silent promise that no matter what, we'd face this together. Ever since we'd confessed our feelings, there was this unspoken understanding between us, this tether that pulled us toward each other. Even in the deadliest of situations, it was like we were connected by something more than just duty.

But right now, it wasn't just the bond between us that weighed on my mind. It was the way he hovered, his eyes constantly darting toward me as if expecting something to happen. And truth be told, it was driving me crazy. I knew Ghost was protective, always had been, but tonight? It was like he couldn't let me out of his sight for even a second.

I glanced back at him as we crept through the undergrowth, his imposing figure moving silently just a step behind me. His hand brushed against my shoulder more than once, and every time I shifted slightly to give him space, he just moved closer.

"Ghost," I hissed under my breath, "you're breathing down my bloody neck. Back off a bit, will ya?"

His eyes, dark beneath the mask, flickered with something between frustration and concern. "Just stay close, Soap," he muttered, his voice low and gruff.

"I'm right here, mate," I whispered back. "Not gonna wander off like a lost puppy."

But he didn't relax, not even a bit. In fact, if anything, he got even closer, his shoulder brushing against mine as we navigated the path. I could feel the heat radiating off him, even through our gear. It was... distracting, to say the least. I could feel the tension rolling off of him in waves, and I knew it wasn't just the mission getting to him. It was the thought of me getting hurt.

We moved in silence for what felt like hours, though it couldn't have been more than thirty minutes. The rest of the team was scattered around us, keeping a tight formation. I could feel their eyes on us, especially Gaz's. He had a habit of noticing more than he let on, and I could tell he was clocking how Ghost and I stayed practically glued to each other.

The forest around us was deadly quiet. No birds. No wind. Just the sound of our own breaths, the crunch of our boots against the forest floor, and the faint creak of our gear shifting as we moved. The tension in the air was thick, like something was waiting just beyond the trees, watching us. My senses were on high alert, every muscle in my body coiled tight like a spring.

Price's voice crackled softly in my earpiece. "Stay sharp, lads. We're entering the valley."

I looked ahead, and sure enough, the trees opened up just slightly, leading down into a narrow ravine—an area we'd been briefed on earlier. The Valley of Death, the locals called it. The name wasn't exactly encouraging.

As we began to descend into the valley, the air grew colder, more still. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and not from the temperature. This place... it felt wrong. Like the earth itself had swallowed up too much blood and pain over the years, and now it was cursed.

Suddenly, Ghost's arm shot out in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. "Wait," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

I froze, scanning the area. My heart pounded in my chest as I followed his gaze. There, barely visible among the tangled roots and brush, was a tripwire—thin as fishing line, nearly invisible in the dark. Another step, and I'd have set it off.

"Shit," I breathed, my pulse quickening as the realization sank in. I hadn't even seen it.

Ghost crouched down beside me, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder, steadying me. "Careful, Johnny," he murmured, his voice a soft rumble that I felt more than heard. "You're too important to lose out here."

There was something in his tone that sent a jolt through me, something raw and unguarded. I turned my head slightly, glancing at him, and for a second, the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of us. His hand lingered on my shoulder, his thumb brushing against the fabric of my gear, and I knew—he wasn't just talking about the mission.

I nodded, unable to find the words to respond. Instead, I focused on the tripwire, carefully guiding us around it. My movements felt sluggish, like I was wading through thick mud, but I kept my mind sharp, knowing one wrong step could spell disaster.

Ghost stayed close the entire time, his presence a constant, oppressive weight. But I knew it came from a place of fear, of love. It was Ghost's way of trying to protect me, even if he didn't have the words to say it out loud.

Once we were clear of the trap, we moved forward again, more cautious now. But the tension between us had shifted, thickened. Every time our shoulders brushed, every time our hands accidentally grazed one another as we maneuvered through the dense forest, it sent sparks through my veins. It was like we were both hyper-aware of each other, the mission fading slightly into the background, replaced by this almost unbearable tension.

Gaz caught my eye at one point, smirking behind his visor. I glared at him, but I could see the amusement in his eyes. He knew, of course. Hell, they all probably knew. Ghost and I had never been particularly subtle, but ever since we'd confessed... it was like we couldn't help it. Being close to him felt like a need, a craving that I couldn't quite control. Even in the middle of a damn mission.

We pressed on through the valley, the oppressive quiet growing louder in my ears. Every step felt like it might be the one that triggered an ambush, and I could feel the sweat trickling down the back of my neck despite the chill in the air. Ghost was beside me, his presence a constant reminder that no matter what, we were in this together.

But that didn't stop the fear. The fear that one wrong move, one second of distraction, would be enough to take him from me. Or worse... that I wouldn't be able to protect him. That he'd get hurt because I wasn't fast enough, wasn't strong enough.

I couldn't let that happen. Not again.

We paused at the edge of a clearing, Price signaling for us to hold. I crouched low, my eyes scanning the shadows, searching for any sign of movement. My heart was pounding in my ears, my breath coming in shallow bursts. I could feel Ghost's eyes on me again, but I didn't turn to look at him. I couldn't. If I did, I knew the fear would show, and I couldn't afford to let that happen. Not now.

But then, just as we were about to move again, Ghost's hand found mine. It was subtle, hidden beneath the edge of my gear, but I felt it. His fingers brushed against my knuckles, a silent reassurance that I wasn't alone. That we were still in this together, no matter how dark or dangerous things got.

I looked at him then, just for a second, and our eyes met. I saw the same fear in his gaze, the same need to protect me that I felt for him. But there was something else there too, something that steadied me, reminded me of why we fought so hard.

He nodded, a silent promise, and I nodded back, the fear easing just a bit as we prepared to move forward again.