DECEPTION. ("Soap" MacTavish x Reader.)

chapter twenty.

When Y/n had woken up, she wasn't even confused as to where she was. Soap and her being close was the main part of her dream, and when her eyes opened she noticed he was gone. It was relieving to be alone first thing in the morning, knowing it would've been awkward if they got up at the same time.

Veil began to grab her crutch when she noticed papers on the nightstand. It was her wound care instructions, but it was odd because she didn't remember bringing them. She figured Soap must have got them for her.

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Y/n looked over the papers, and she realized a shower was pretty ideal for her right now. How could Soap sleep with her smelling like blood, sweat, and pepper spray? She pursed her lips as she read on with the paper.

Assistance in proximity is highly recommended while showering as we noticed you inhaled not only pepper spray, but chlorine as well, which is very crucial to your health. Symptoms of showering may include fainting, coughing, lightheadedness, puking...

Those bastards really soaked up that cloth with whatever they could, huh? No wonder why her face looked so red and gross. As much as she wanted to be independent, she knew, at least for this shower, she would need help. She would just ask the closest female to help her out. Then again, the Task Force wasn't that big of a community on this base out in Mexico...

Deciding to just get this struggle over with, Y/n grabbed her crutch and stood up. Her eye was swollen from the bold bruise on her face, but it wasn't hard to ignore. She grabbed the paper with the hand that clutched the crutch handle, heading out towards the lounge room. It was breakfast, so hopefully, some female could be her aid.

The tv was playing some Cartoon Network show, which was amusing to Y/n as she entered the door. These soldiers were watching a kid's show. Even Ghost. When she looked at him with surprise he had removed his eyes from the screen, his gaze darkening as a threat.

Veil was quick to look away, her eyes meeting Soaps. This was a bit weird... Only to her though apparently as he shot a grin over to her, eating a bowl of cereal. Comfort flooded her as she realized he didn't leave the bed earlier to escape her, he was probably just hungry.

Not wanting to be rude, she gave a welcoming grin back, noticing a girl sitting in front of him, reading a book.

The stranger felt the tension of someone's eyes on her, looking over. "Oh, it's you. How ya feeling, mate?" Her Australian accent was extremely thick. Y/n didn't know why, but she scanned the girl to analyze any flaws.

There didn't seem to be any. Her skin was a creamy cool color, the curly blonde hair on her head appeared very well taken care of and her eyes were a rich brown, full of so much energy. This girl seemed almost perfect, not to add she was the only other female Y/n has noticed here. Wait- that's perfect. She could ask for help with her situation.

"You know me?"

"Well, no, but Gaz and I visited you when you were passed out. Soap didn't leave your side, haha..." Kiley widened her eyes as she looked at the table with a forced smile, meeting Veil's gaze once more. "I'm Kiley. I go by Target, though."

Y/n glanced at Soap as Kiley spoke her codename, noticing a sudden humourous grin crossing his lips, having to cover his mouth with his hand holding the spoon. What did he find so funny?

"Oh. I'm Veil, it's nice to meet you. Hey, actually it's great we met because I need some help with something," Y/n hobbled over towards the table, not wanting to interrupt Gaz and Ghost's screen time. "It'll sound weird."

"Um. Okay? Lay it on me."

Y/n felt her face heat up as Soap was also interested in their conversation. She couldn't identify why, but his eyes on her made her squeamish. She still had to threaten him not to view last night as anything.

"So I can't really, uh... shower alone... here's the paper explaining it," She slid the thin white sheet in front of Kiley, "it's a high risk if I do, and you're the only other girl I know here, so I would really... really appreciate your help. You don't have to be in the shower with me, obviously, but even waiting next to the sink or something would be great."

Target's eyes skimmed over the paper then looked up at Y/n with slanted eyebrows, an uncomfortable smile crossing her lips. "So sorry, but Ghost is actually instructed to train me in just a few minutes here. I'm sure you'll be fine!"

Oh.

Caught in disbelief, Y/n started to think it through. She couldn't blame Kiley for this. She watched as Ghost got up from his seat and then gruffly call out to Target to head out. It was the same as her when he had to mentor her. Kiley apologized once more then exited the room with Simon.

She licked her lips as she began to get paranoid, glancing at Soap. She raised an eyebrow at him. He did the same back.

"Soap."

"What does the princess need now?" He was acting as if he wasn't just eavesdropping on her conversation.

She kind of enjoyed the back-and-forth and how laid-back he was as if they didn't just cuddle up last night. But that also nerved her. She glanced at his bowl, the soccer dog tag that laid on his chest being in her peripheral vision as she did so, meeting his eyes. "Are you eating cheerios?"

"Want a bite?" He noticed her playful judging tone, meeting her gaze with a smirk as he asked.

Y/n just sighed, rolling her eyes with a grin. That was her way of saying 'This conversation is over'. Gaz began heading towards the mini kitchen near them.

She needed to shower.

Gaz was her last hope.

It seemed ridiculous because she barely knew him, but she just cuddled up with Soap last night and that was extremely sentimental, asking MacTavish to sit in the same room as her as she was naked behind a curtain made her believe he would find her weird. She would find it weird if he did.

"Hey, Gaz?" They had chatted briefly in the past, and her introduction to the group was a mere moment between them too. She noticed Soap's head whip up to look at her, already knowing where this was heading.

The youngest of the group paused his walk, holding a bowl in his hand. "Yeah?"

"Can you please do me a favor."

It was a short summary, the same effort put in as Kileys, but obviously, she was more adamant with her words since he was a guy. Surprisingly, the man was hesitant at first but agreed, his reaction very wholesome.

"Here, we can get going once I put my bowl away."

Soap hadn't spoken a word, but he chowed down his cereal, his bowl empty as well. He got up and headed around the corner where Gaz went to put his dish away too.

"Gaz," Soap spoke in a rushed low voice, something menacing in it. He grabbed the others shoulder, making Gaz face him. They were out of earshot from Y/n.

Kyle quickly blinked in shock, meeting the eyes of the Sergeant. He could assume why Soap was doing this. "I'm not a creep if that's what you're bloody worried about. She will have privacy." He found it nice how John cared, though.

John felt more than care.

"You even look towards the curtain, I will fucking hurt you. If she gets hurt, close your eyes, help her, then get me first thing. Are we clear?"

Gaz's eyes widened in confusion, settling once he understood. He knew Soap, and the man wouldn't do something weird or unsettling to a girl. Y/n didn't ask Soap to help, but Garrick knew the other would probably be easier to have in the room since they had chemistry. Like that one time Gaz had interrupted their combat training in the field. Hell, even how Soap spent quite some time in the medical room waiting for Veil. It wasn't like MacTavish and Y/n were on bad terms too by how they had just interacted about the cereal.

And Gaz wasn't going to pretend he didn't see Y/n join Soap in his room last night, either.

"I'll tell her I forgot Price needed me. If she seems unhappy with this, though, I'm going to be the one in the shower room with her."

Soap kept his strict expression on, glancing at the wall behind Gaz for a second then connected this gaze once more, "If she hesitates even then I'm okay with you helping her. I don't want her uncomfortable but I'm uncomfortable with you being near her like that." But the energy he gave off was very strong about the situation.