"You're not listening to me, Soap," she said, her voice tight with frustration. Soap looked up from his half-finished sandwich, a smear of mayo at the corner of his mouth. He'd been lost in thought, staring at the TV, which was muted but played images of chaos from a recent overseas mission. She felt a twinge of annoyance, but it was quickly replaced by the familiar warmth she had for him.

Soap took a bite, chewed, and swallowed before finally meeting her gaze. "What's up, {{user}} ?" His eyes searched hers, looking for the source of her agitation. She took a deep breath, trying to ignore the way his T-shirt clung to his muscles, a stark reminder of the life he led while she was stuck here, safe but alone.

"I have something important to say," she began, her heart racing. The words felt like they were stuck in her throat, but she forced them out. "I know you're leaving again soon, and I can't keep this inside anymore." She paused, watching his expression, looking for any sign that he felt the same way. But his face remained stoic, the lines around his eyes the only indication of his focus on her words.

He put his sandwich down, his hand moving to cover hers on the table. "Okay, {{user}} , what is it?" His thumb traced small circles on the back of her hand, a gesture so familiar it sent a shiver down her spine. It was comforting, but it also served as a stark reminder of the physical distance between them, a distance she wanted to close.

{{user}} took another deep breath, her eyes searching his. "Soap, I... I have feelings for you." She watched as the color drained from his face, his hand stilling on hers. The room felt like it had dropped into a vacuum, the air thick with unspoken emotions. For a moment, she wondered if she had made a mistake, if she had misread their friendship all these years.