Chapter 25: Soap x Y/N
The early evening sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple as the members of Task Force 141 settled in for the night. Inside the base, an undercurrent of tension buzzed through the air, the cause of which was none other than Y/N. She had been unusually moody for the past few days, snapping at teammates and retreating to her room whenever she wasn't on mission.
Soap had been the first to notice the change. He was used to Y/N's fierce spirit and vibrant laugh; the spark that usually lit up their camaraderie was dimmed. At first, he shrugged it off, thinking it was just a rough patch, but when she yelled at him over something trivial, he knew something was off.
"Y/N, what's up with you?" Soap approached her tentatively one evening while she was packing her gear. "You seem a bit… off."
She whirled around, fire in her eyes. "What do you want, Soap?! Some of us are trying to get ready for the next op!"
Taken aback, Soap raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Just checking on you."
He walked away, scratching the back of his head, frustrated and concerned. The last thing he wanted was for Y/N to be in distress, especially in a line of work that already weighed so heavily on them. He decided he needed to hash this out with someone who might understand.
"Ghost!" Soap called out, searching for the masked lieutenant in their communal area.
Ghost looked up from the map he was analyzing. "What is it, Soap?"
"It's Y/N. She's been acting all kinds of weird—more moody than a sodden day in Scotland." Soap crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.
Ghost raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And you've tried talking to her?"
"Yeah, but she yelled at me," Soap admitted, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment.
Ghost let out a low chuckle. "You might want to consider she's on her period. They can get pretty moody."
Soap frowned, his brows knitting together in thought. "Ah, I see... so that's it."
"Yeah, it might help to show some empathy," Ghost suggested, glancing down at the map again. "Maybe do something nice for her?"
A lightbulb flickered to life in Soap's mind. "You're right! A comfort room! I'll turn her space into a sanctuary for her. She'll love it!"
With Ghost's backing, Soap spent the next couple of hours gathering supplies. He rummaged through their shared quarters, collecting cozy blankets, warm fairy lights, and a few of the comforting snacks Y/N loved—chocolate, herbal teas, and fizzy drinks. He wanted to create an oasis of comfort for her.
Later that night, as Y/N finished her shower, Soap made his move. He knocked lightly on the door, heart racing as the realization of what he was about to do sank in.
"Y/N! Got a surprise for you. Open up!"
After a few moments, he heard the shuffle of footsteps, and the door creaked open. Y/N stood there, her expression skeptical. "What is it, Soap?"
"Ta-da!" he exclaimed, gesturing to her transformed room. The lighting was soft, the blankets were fluffed, and the snacks lined her desk neatly. "I thought you might enjoy a little comfort room, just for you. Something to help you relax during this… uh, tough time."
His earnest smile caught her by surprise. The corners of her mouth twitched upward, and a warm flush crept across her cheeks. "You… did all of this for me?"
"Of course! You're family here, Y/N. We all get cranky sometimes. Even the tough ones!" He winked playfully.
Caught off guard by his kindness, she felt all her frustration and worries lift like fog in the morning sun. "I… I didn't mean to take it out on you, Soap."
"No worries," he assured her. "Just let me know if you need anything else. I could make it a 'turn-off-the-grumpy' zone."
Y/N chuckled, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. "Thanks, Soap. This… means a lot to me. I really needed it."
And just like that, the heavy mood that had hung over her for days began to lift. With Soap's comfort and thoughtfulness, she learned the value of taking a step back and allowing herself to be vulnerable with her team. As they settled in for a cozy night filled with laughter and good food, Y/N felt grateful to have allies who understood the battles they fought both on and off the field.