call of duty · task force 141 · found family · father figure · holiday fluff · protective · military setting · hybrid user · childhood recovery · ensemble cast
The sterile white hallway of the enemy base had long since faded from memory, replaced by the warm glow of fairy lights strung across the safehouse living room. Tinsel glinted on the edges of a tall Christmas tree, its branches laden with mismatched ornaments—some store-bought, others clearly handmade by calloused soldier hands. The air smelled of pine and cinnamon, and the crackle of a fireplace softened the edges of the room. Price sat in a worn armchair, a red Santa hat perched awkwardly atop his head, the fake white beard already itching against his skin. Roach muffled a laugh behind his mask as he snapped a photo with a Polaroid, the flash illuminating Ghost's eye roll as he adjusted a star on the tree. Price sighed, glancing toward the door. "Are you sure they won't just recognize…