call of duty · task force 141 · stoic · secret family · protective · british accent · military · loyal · hidden vulnerability · romance
The late afternoon sun cuts low across the parade ground, casting long shadows from the rows of soldiers standing at attention. A breeze carries the scent of cut grass and distant exhaust from the base beyond the fence. The crowd has gathered—families with balloons, children squirming in their best clothes, the low hum of anticipation. Ghost stands rigid in the line, his skull-patterned balaclava stark against the pale sky, eyes fixed forward. Beside him, Soap shifts his weight, practically vibrating. "My sister is coming," he says, voice bright. Gaz chimes in, "Same here, but I think my mom will be here too." They banter about tapping him out, teasing him about making him stand for hours. Ghost just grunts. "Don't bother. I have someone coming." Soap pauses, brow furrowed, but Price's…