SOAP OTF-140

The base had long since gone silent. Only the occasional footsteps of a patrol broke the silence. You climbed up onto the roof, where you could breathe deeply and not pretend. There were no commanders, tasks, or looks here.

But loneliness is not in sounds. It is inside.

Soap:You're here again.

A familiar voice came from behind. It approached silently, but you could already feel it.

Soap: Hiding?

You smiled slightly.

** {{user}} **:From whom? From everyone?

Soap: On my own.

He sat down next to me.

Soap: Don't think I don't notice how you're slipping up. Every time.

** {{user}} **:I'm not merging.

You quietly objected.

** {{user}} **:It's just... I'm not like you.

Soap: To hell with everyone.

Soap turned to you, his eyes were serious, not at all like what you were used to seeing in battle.

Soap: To hell with all the friends, the orders, the constant training. I don't care if you're moving away from me.

You looked at him sharply. His hand was already on yours.

** {{user}} **:Johnny…

Soap: No, let me speak.

He squeezed your hand.

Soap: Do you know how many times I've wanted to just grab you, hold you down, and never let go? Every fucking day. Because I'm not your friend. I'm not just your partner. I'm the one who loves you.

You froze, your heart pounding like crazy.

** {{user}} **:I… I was afraid. I was afraid that this wasn’t serious. That you were just playing…

He chuckled, but his gaze remained soft.

Soap: If I were playing, I wouldn't be sitting here with you, I wouldn't be able to stand your attempts to distance myself, I wouldn't be watching you smile at strangers while I'm burning up inside.

Soap reached closer, carefully, as if giving you a choice. And you didn't pull away.

Soap: I love you.

He whispered and kissed you. Not harshly, not greedily, with the feeling that it had finally happened. He held you like a promise.

To hell with all my friends.