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10millionotters · 2 years ago

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Shelter from the Rain

Rating: Mature

Characters: Simon "Ghost" Riley, Original female Character

Relationship: Simon "Ghost" Riley/Original female Character

Word Count: 3354

Additional information: First meeting, Mission Fic, Action/Adventure, Gunshot Wounds, Developing Relationship, Pre-Canon

“We should arrive at our destination right on time,” he had expected her to slow him down, but she didn’t.

She only nodded.

Had he scared her into silence?

He just didn’t like the stiffness of her tone, but maybe it was for the better if they stood quiet.

She quietly scaled up a ledge and extended a hand to Ghost, he didn’t deny her help.

Read it on AO3 or under the cut

“Lieutenant.”

The girl saluted him, her hand was shaking.

“Sergeant Rosales.”

How old was she even? 25?

He had read her file. Quite impressive.

Captain Price had a talent for picking up people like her.

“You can call me Sparrow.”

“Ghost.”

Cat got her tongue, huh?

There was a confused expression on her face, as if she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how to formulate any coherent thought.

“So. Uh…”

Special forces medic for the SAS.

Ghost squinted as he fixated on the deep scar on her right cheek.

Did that happen in action?

Added a little something to her appearance at least. She was a pretty girl.

Such a shame she joined the military.

It wasn’t a place for people with futures.

“Captain Price told me you usually work alone, but I reckon given the current circumstances -“

Marie felt a little nervous. Did he even listen to anything she said?

“I was there for the briefing.”

Jesus.

She was just trying to make smalltalk.

He probably wasn’t one for it, of course he wasn’t. Given that they were somewhat forced together by Price.

She couldn’t blame the old man. His heart was way too soft when it came to his teams.

Normally, she would still be deployed with her own unit, but she had been moved as per Captain Price’s request.

Instead of feeling burning desert heat, they were now moving through deep thickets trying to find their target.

Somewhere deep in these woods was an old factory, long abandoned and probably overgrown.

It would have been a beautiful place under any circumstance, but now it was nothing but a hideout for a terrorist group.

Price hadn’t lost too many words. Apparently an exchange of important intel was bound to happen.

Intel on AQ that they desperately needed.

This could have been a one man job.

But no…

Ghost listened intently to the sound of Sparrow’s footsteps behind him. She had field practice.

This wasn’t meant to be him babysitting a newbie.

Sometimes - all the time - the thought processes that lead to Price’s decision making were a mystery to Ghost.

In all his time in service, Ghost had never needed backup in the field. It felt like Price was planning something.

“Can you keep up?”

“Yes Sir.”

God she was stiff.

He could hear her shudder, all he did was ask her a question. There was no need to be so formal.

… at least she was agile.

Every now and then Ghost turned around to check on her, she kept up with his pace, her firm gaze meeting his.

“We should arrive at our destination right on time,” he had expected her to slow him down, but she didn’t.

She only nodded.

Had he scared her into silence?

He just didn’t like the stiffness of her tone, but maybe it was for the better if they stood quiet.

She quietly scaled up a ledge and extended a hand to Ghost, he didn’t deny her help.

Sparrow had a firm grip, she was stronger than he anticipated.

Even some of the men at base struggled to support his weight at times. Then again, she was a medic. She was probably used to moving bodies heavier than his.

The awkward silence between them still wouldn’t lift, Sparrow now walking ahead of him.

There was no reason to tell her to stop being so stubborn. No soldier should get caught up in arbitrary feelings so easily.

That was something Sparrow had to learn sooner or later. The sooner the better.

It would save her life one day.

“We’re 3 clicks away.”

“Roger.”

Good eyes, huh?

Ghost felt the corners of his mouth twitch.

If it weren’t for this fake politeness, the stiffness in her voice and body, she might even be a good companion.

Price seemed to like her, appreciated her work but also enjoyed her company. The old man had lost a few words about the girl before, how she made her whole squad laugh at times.

That she played music for them.

Whoever that was, Ghost couldn’t see a trace of her in Sparrow.

This stiff, anxious, creature that froze up when he spoke.

Did his reputation precede him again?

It was useful at times but when he was supposed to work with someone it could spell out trouble.

They walked in silence.

This time Sparrow turned to check in on Ghost, her face didn’t betray any thought she had.

“It should be safe but we should check for …”

Sparrow stopped herself, her voice died down in her throat as she just shook her head and walked on without saying anything else.

Ghost quietly followed her.

She did check for tripwires and any form of trap.

She was attentive.

But Ghost found himself pulling her back.

“Piano wire, it’s hard to spot.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, he could feel her body relax under his touch.

“Fucking hell… I didn’t see that one.”

Oh? The little bird could swear?

Ghost let go of her arm and defused the trap.

“We should be good to go now.”

The medic nodded and continued on, a heavy feeling sinking in her stomach.

“Say… do you think this is normal? Just… there’s a few traps and all, but should their guards patrol this area if the exchange of intel is this important?”

She had a point.

“We’re still at a safe distance from the actual exchange, Sergeant,” but he felt himself grow a little agitated too.

This was new to most of them. They couldn’t read AQ’s movement patterns as well as they’d liked to.

It’s not that Price would let them run into an obvious ambush.

“Keep going, we will scout out the area when we get to the roof,” maybe the terrorists were ill prepared for operation in these parts.

But they had secured this area, there was no way they got reckless now.

Maybe they felt safe enough to make the exchange happen quietly.

Too many guards in these parts would draw negative attention.

An old abandoned factory should stay that way unless you were banking on someone finding you.

The sudden sound of footsteps and voices alerted the duo.

They were speaking normally at first but the defused traps alerted them to the presence of someone else.

Frantically, they began searching the premises for the intruders.

Sparrow grabbed her knife, a gun wouldn’t do her any good in this place, she waited.

Every now and then she looked over to Ghost, they couldn’t really coordinate their actions but he seemed to be pleased with her initiative to take up a knife.

They could meet them halfway, make sure that they didn’t call for backup, but if nobody would find anything…

… it was a gamble.

Lying in wait, the soldiers could hear a discussion ensue.

But it didn’t seem to deter the guards from approaching their location.

Sparrow bit her bottom lip.

It wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

They should have guessed that much.

Did they arrive too early?

She trusted Price’s informants to be trustworthy. No. This was probably some oversight on her end.

… Ghost had only followed her, maybe he would have done things differently without her.

He wouldn’t have ended up in a situation like this.

The noise of footsteps grew louder.

There were two guards.

Ghost gestured to Sparrow to lay low until they were close enough to sneak up on them and take them out with their knives.

She nodded and felt her body relax.

Why in the world was she more relaxed now than she was meeting her superior for the first time?

Maybe killing came way too easily to her now.

There was something feline about her moments as she darted out of her hiding spot, knife in hand, slicing the unsuspecting man’s jugular.

She watched his body drop.

Ghost only watched her stare as the guard bled out.

“We need to get rid of the bodies before they are spotted.”

Her voice sounded hollow as it bounced off the walls.

“Time isn’t on our side.”

Their eyes met, she looked different.

“I know.”

But she still made a good point.

She wasn’t perfect by any means, she would be ranking higher if she was, but she could learn.

They watched the bodies vanish between a pair of empty containers and continued on their way up the empty building.

This time, they would make sure to take their time to assess their surroundings.

“We only have so much time before they’ll realise that their patrol is not responding, our best bet is that the exchange will happen before they notice their missing men,” Ghost waited for a response, she only nodded at him firmly before positioning her sniper rifle.

“… we can’t go in hot, they’d easily outnumber us, but we don’t have time to pick them off like this. Unless…”

Was she really in a position to make suggestions? After all, she was the reason this operation nearly went downhill.

“…”

No. She couldn’t keep doing that to herself, it would be up to Ghost to decide.

His gaze was fixed on her, waiting for her to speak.

“Cover me from up here, I will take down as many as I can below. I will try to get as close to the exchange without blowing the cover, once it is finished, it’s time to clean house.”

If anything happened to her, he wouldn’t be able to intervene quick enough.

“Does your throat microphone work?”

Ghost watched her remove her scarf, “If I turn it on I’m sure it will.”

Hearing her voice directly in his head, he noticed that she had gotten softer in tone. A lot more relaxed than she was before.

“Do you need directions?”

“I’m a big girl, I can handle myself.”

Ghost shook his head as he watched her sneak off.

Godspeed, soldier.

If anything would happen to her, he didn’t know how to explain it to Price.

For now, all he could do was trust in her skill and the confidence she had in it.

“I think I’m in your blind spot right now.”

“Check.”

“There are three guards ahead of me.”

“Wait for them to split up.”

“Roger.”

He heard the guards talk to each other, once the conversation ended he was on high alert.

Only one of them came in sight, that meant Sparrow was still left with two.

Ghost felt his finger twitch on the trigger, but he had to wait for her signal before he could pull it.

“Clear.”

The body dropped and he watched it being dragged off into his blind spot.

They gave her the wrong name, that was for sure.

That wasn’t a bird, especially not a little sparrow.

Ghost watched the catlike creature sneak up to a lonesome guard.

Where she had been clean before, she was meticulous now.

Never expected to see a medic go against their job description in such a way, but he didn’t mind.

“I got this.”

Another two down.

“That was impressive, Sir.”

“…”

Impressive wouldn’t save her ass in case the tide would turn against them.

“Two trucks approaching your position, either stay low or get out now. They’re 2 clicks out.”

She was brave, he had to give her that.

But bravery was the end of so many comrades before her.

Ghost was fixated on her as she darted across the open space between the buildings, hiding away behind a few crates again.

“I need you to be my eyes, Sir.”

“Roger. You should be safe. I’ll cover your position.”

For a few moments, he could have sworn he heard her breathing speed up, was she nervous?

“You’re safe.”

Silence.

Smart girl.

They could talk later.

Car engines came to a screeching halt.

Heavily armed guards excited the vehicle.

What kind of intel did they have to guard like this?

Ghost felt his stomach drop.

There was no way she would be able to handle this on her own, she was quietly waiting in her position; the guards began to split up.

They would find the bodies soon, no matter how well hidden they were.

It was do or die.

“I will try to take out as many of the armed guards as I can, keep your knife at the ready, aim for their knees and necks but only if they get close to you.”

Time wasn’t on their side.

No response.

He knew very well why as he watched the first body drop.

She was no longer safe in her position, no matter what Ghost said now, she would have to follow her own command if she wanted to live.

“They’re holding the exchange.”

“Stay low!”

Where the hell did she sneak off to -

Ghost cursed under his breath and continued to pick off every stray guard he could find.

His pulse was racing through his ears, that’s why he preferred to work alone.

25 wasn’t an age at which a life should be cut short.

If she would go hot he would have to interfere.

There were still too many guards for her to handle alone.

Her gear was meant to make navigation through the woods easier, not to protect her from heavy gunfire.

“Sparrow. How copy?”

No response.

Ghost took a deep breath, now it was on him to decide how to proceed.

If he would stay put for too long she might be compromised but if he intervened the entire operation could go belly up.

“Package secured. I need to get out before they spot the corpses, I’m going over the roof, cover me.”

“Roger.”

Did she have a deathwish?

The remaining guards began to move more frantically about the premises, the first corpse had been spotted, they might have to go hot.

Ghost was keeping close watch on the roofs, one of the old windows was lifted carefully as Sparrow snuck out.

Just as she lowered it the glass shattered in her hands, she tumbled back as she barely avoided the bullet.

“Run! Get out of there!”

The sound of her footsteps would easily give her away, but it didn’t matter. She was fast.

Ghost had to reevaluate the situation, he couldn’t cover her anymore. They had to go hot and most importantly - they had to get out there.

Alive.

In a haste, Ghost gathered his rifle and assessed the area. He needed to jump down on a few containers to get off the roof fast enough to reach Sparrow.

It would attract the enemy but they could either be fast or end up dead.

The noise the metal made as he crashed into it was deafening.

Voices began to frantically shout curses and directions. He would have loved to take one or more out but they had to keep moving.

A moving target was harder to hit..

“Sparrow!”

There was panic in her eyes, she knew that they had to stay separated so at least one of them would make it.

“Ghost take my backpack the intel -“

“I am not leaving without you!”

It was a split second.

She watched the bullet rip through Ghost’s mask, cracking the skull plate, she felt his hand pull on her arm as they fell to the ground.

He quickly rolled onto his back and began shooting the approaching enemies.

Sparrow desperalty kicked her feet in order to create distance before pulling her own gun.

How did she panic, why why why?

Why now of all times?

She didn’t react as a bullet dug into her arm, instead she kept shooting until the sound around them died down.

Little trickles began covering her face, her lashes.

Was she crying or was it rain?

“Ghost?”

“I’m here.”

It took them a moment to recollect.

This hadn’t just been close, it was a miracle they were still alive.

“We won’t be able to get out of this forest until the rain stops, Sparrow -“

“What?”

Wordlessly, Ghost lifted her up, she had no idea what was going on.

He looked at her worried, carrying her into a nearby building.

“We can’t stay here -“

“You’re bleeding.”

“What…?”

“Your arm.”

There was an emptiness to her eyes as she examined it.

Her backpack fell on the floor, so did she.

Wordlessly, she unpacked her gloves.

Sparrow didn’t flinch as she cleaned the wound as deep as she could go.

He watched her stuff cotton into the hole, tying up her arm. For a moment, she only stared at it.

“You didn’t feel it?”

“No…”

Ghost watched her intently.

There was a familiar feeling in the way she looked at the wound, it would scar.

After a few moments she snapped out of whatever state she had been in, her eyes now focused on Ghost.

“You’re bleeding -“

Her hands cupped his cheeks, he flinched. Not under her touch, but the pain in his cheek began to sting.

“I need to disinfect it, take off your mask.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“I won’t take it off.”

“I can’t treat your wound if you don’t take that mask off.”

For a few moments they just stared at each other.

Ghost in unwavering defiance and Sparrow in growing agitation.

“You can’t be fucking serious, I risked my life to get the fucking intel and you can’t even take off that fucking mask so I can treat your bullet wound? Is this some weird ego trip you’re on or are you just -“

“Ugly?”

Sparrow pulled her hands back, they now rested on her thighs, “No… that’s… that’s not what I was insinuating.”

Ghost watched her intently.

So this is who she really was, huh?

“You know, I never do this, but I also want to know how badly they fucked up my mask.”

Rain gently tapped against the windows.

The faint smell of metal lingered in the air.

For a moment, Sparrow could have sworn that thunder struck.

Somewhere.

Deeper in the forest.

“If you keep looking at me like that you might end up falling in love,” Ghost wanted to laugh but he felt a fist bump into his arm.

“You’re not exactly Pedro Pascal, my friend. I’m not one for white British dudes.”

“That’s a shame.”

Her eyes widened before she started laughing, “You’re horrible.”

It was nice to watch her finally act more like a person around him.

“I can’t numb the area in case you’ll need stitches but let me check first,” she cupped his cheeks and gently moved his head towards the only source of light she could find.

His eyes were fixed on her while she went to work.

“I don’t want this to leave a scar.”

“How did you end up with yours? That’s a pretty bad one.”

Her hands were gentle, skilled. She cleaned out his wound while her voice began to shake.

“First time… in the field. During a hostage situation. I rushed in too fast, the kid was so scared they didn’t know who I was and attacked me,” a small chuckle escaped her, “I was bleeding all over the poor thing while I was treating them. There was no other medic around. I didn’t even realise half of my cheek was sliced open.”

“How old were they?”

“9.”

Ghost flinched as she applied an antiseptic to his wound, “I don’t trust anything out here not to infect your wound.”

“What about yours?”

For a moment the corners of her mouth twitched, nearly curling into a smile, “If I pass out, will you carry me back to base?”

“Shouldn’t I buy you dinner first?”

She laughed again, “I swear to God if you don’t stop that...”

But her smile died as quickly as it appeared, “I risked this operation and our lives by rushing in again today, Sir. I’m sorry.”

“We all make mistakes, Marie.”

How odd.

The rain had stopped but she could have sworn thunder struck again.

“Thank you.”

He pulled his mask back over his face, “We should be good to go.”

Ghost got up and extended his hand to the medic.

She grasped it firmly, maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

#my writing #ghost x oc #simon ghost riley #cod oc maria katharina rosales #cod oc marie #call of duty mw2 #finally a fic that properly introduces marie lmao #and yes......#this is the canon timeline #the one where she and könig are a thing is not the canon one #i make aus of aus #but yeaaahh #anyway #if you ever wanted to know about her this is a good start

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10millionotters · 2 years ago

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Surprise Visit

A little surprise for @alypink (happy Valentine's Day buddy); a little something about Aly visiting Price in my daycare!AU

Should she really do it…?

The weight of the brown paper bag in her hand began to weigh Aly down, she nervously bit her bottom lip. She could hear kids scream and shout in delight, the sounds filled the large house with life.

Ever since Captain Price had retired, he had settled well into his new role in life.

There had always been something paternal about him, mostly in the way he treated his comrades, but nobody would have expected him to take on the task of caring for their fallen comrades' children.

However, she couldn’t deny that the children were happy.

They loved their new paternal figure and he loved them.

The last time Ally had seen them was when Price had just told her about the adoption being greenlit, as well as his plans to retire.

It felt like a rug was being pulled away from under her, but she couldn’t say anything but wish him well.

Clammy hands carefully pressed down the doorbell after she finally snapped out of her daze.

“Coming!”

Hearing his voice again after so many months made Aly’s cheeks flush bright red.

God - it was embarrassing.

Had she really missed him that much?

The door was flung open in a haste, as if he expected to see someone else.

“Farah we were waiting for y… Oh! Aly, it’s good to see you again!”, his confused expression began to soften into a warm smile.

“I’m sorry to intrude, I just… I was in town and I wanted to drop off a gift for the boys, I…”, now she felt a little out of place.

A doll house? Really? Was it even big enough for 3 kids to play with, did the boys even like Bluey?

All the kids did, right?

Right?

“You shouldn’t have,” watching his eyes light up as he took the bag and took a peek inside felt like someone shot right through her heart. There was so much tenderness in his eyes, so much love for his children.

For a few moments, she only quietly observed him. There was nothing she wanted to say to ruin this moment.

The warm spring sunshine painted soft shadows across his face, he looked younger now that he retired from service. Parenthood suited him well.

His body had softened a little bit, but in such an endearing way.

He looked even more handsome than she remembered.

He -

“UNCLE JOHN!”

Small feet came stomping down the corridor to the front door.

“UNCLE JOHN, UNCLE ALEX SAID HE WILL BUY PIZZA FOR DINNER IF YOU… say… yes,” the little girl that came running hid behind Captain Price, only peeking out behind his legs occasionally.

“Marie, don’t be shy. This is an old friend of mine, her name is Aly.”

He turned around to pick the child up, little arms slung around his neck as she observed the stranger.

“Hello Marie, it’s nice to meet you.”

The girl didn’t say anything, instead she focused on Price again, “Uncle Alex said we can watch Mando and have pizza if you say yes, please say yes Uncle John.”

Little feet were kicking the air in anticipation, “Wouldn’t you like to ask our guest if she wants to join us?”

“Is that a yes?”

“... Marie.”

Large brown eyes fixated on Aly again, maybe the little thing was just shy.

“Would you like to eat dinner with us, Ma’am?”

Ma’am? Did she really look that old?

“I… I would love to but I have other obligations in town I’m afraid, I’m sorry Captain, I do appreciate the offer.”

There was something incredibly reassuring about the way he smiled, “That’s a shame, but I guess it can’t be helped, eh?”

“Do you like my Uncle John?”

It felt like a grenade exploded right in between them.

It was an innocuous question, pretty harmless considering it came from such a small child too.

“E-Excuse me?”

“Do you like my Uncle John? You look at him all funny, like Uncle Alex does with Aunt Farah and Ms Kate with Ms Michelle.”

Captain Price kept his eyes fixed on the little girl in his arms, should he scold her? Should he laugh?

“Can you go and tell Uncle Alex that you kids can have all the pizza, nuggets and chips you want for dinner? And you can tell him that you can watch whatever show you like, go.”

The little girl began kicking and screaming in her uncle’s arms, she pressed a kiss on his cheek and ran off the moment he put her back on the ground.

“UNCLE ALEX HE SAID YES! SIMON, JOHNNY, KYLE WE CAN WATCH MANDO!”

Delighted screams echoed from the living room.

“She’s my friends’ daughter, she’s very sweet - normally, I’m so sor…”, it was only now that Price turned to look at Ally.

Face flushed, mouth wide open, she didn’t know what to say.

Or maybe she said just enough.

“I-I should get going, I am so so sorry for intruding it won’t happen again, have a nice day!”

“Aly wait -”, almost instinctively, Price grabbed her hand, “... please.”

“... yes John?”

“Give me a call next time you come around, okay? I would love to take you out for coffee, you know… catch up and..”, there it was again, this soft, warm smile that always made her feel like the world around her stopped spinning.

“I would love that.”

“Great, until next time then?”

“Until next time, John.”

#my writing #cod oc aly #captain john price #canon x oc ship #cod oc maria katharina rosales #cod oc marie #she is always here to cause problems whereever she goes #even as a little stinky baby #daycare au

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10millionotters · 2 years ago

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I have to draw 4 more and colour them all but I’m so happy

#valentine’s day is kiss your medic day #WIP #oc x canon #cod oc maria katharina rosales #johnny soap mactavish #my art

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10millionotters · 2 years ago

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Pickup time at Ms Kate’s Daycare

#my art #cod oc maria katharina rosales #könig cod #daycare au #finally some coloured art #Laswell did Marie’s hair so her favourite creature #sits still for more than 5 minutes #she has way too much energy and there’s more kids to take care of #I think Captain price would get a kick out of it #because Kate always hits his arm when he calls Marie little Kate #she thinks it’s cute but won’t admit it #no playing favourites with her kids #König and Marie are neighbours so they get picked up and dropped off #together #and eat dinner at their houses interchangeably #unless marie is with the price boys #now I’m sad because König would dread those days so much

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10millionotters · 2 years ago

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Daybreak

Rating: Mature

Characters: John "Soap" MacTavish, König, Original female Character(s)

Relationship: Simon “Ghost” Riley/Original female Character, John "Soap" MacTavish/Original female Character

Word Count: 3886

Additional information: Alternate Universe, The Last of Us AU, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Post-Apocalypse, Grief/Mourning, Implied Relationships, Hurt/Comfort

Nobody could have made him believe for even just one second, that mutated fungi would force the world to its knees.

He had seen everything.

War. Torture. Chemical weapons.

But this? This was new.

They weren’t prepared for it.

Read it on AO3 or under the cut

If anyone would have asked him just a few years ago, how he imagined the end of the world, he would have thought of something more… realistic.

War.

Famine.

Climate change.

Things that were tangible enough for him to conceptualise to a point that he could feel nothing about them.

They were always around him, he did his part to combat them, but it felt too far away from his lived reality to become a threat.

Nobody could have made him believe for even just one second, that mutated fungi would force the world to its knees.

He had seen everything.

War. Torture. Chemical weapons.

But this? This was new.

They weren’t prepared for it.

Would things have been different if they were stationed back home?

Johnny, felt his hands brush over the old wood of the bookshelf he kept up for Marie. Sometimes he found still intact books when he went out for raids.

He knew she hated it.

She had stopped talking long ago.

After they lost Price and Gaz it was like, something inside her broke.

When she screamed to leave her behind with Simon, it began to fade.

Her voice was weak but she still spoke to them, tried to make them laugh.

But now?

Now she was completely silent.

They had made home in a family’s abandoned house.

Johnny had removed all photos except one.

Marie kept it in a little shrine.

How could she still pray?

After all that had happened it felt like God had abandoned them.

Johnny looked out of the window, his eyes fixated on the three little mounds of dirt, the little crosses that Marie had carved out of dry wood.

He looked back at her.

She was sitting on the sofa, reading quietly.

These days, she did nothing but read.

Sometimes people came stumbling upon their little homestead because they heard of the “doctor” who lived there.

They didn’t need to protect themselves from raiders. Not after König had blown the last one’s head off clean, propping up the body as a warning.

Sometimes Johnny wondered just how immune König was to this plague that had ravished the entire world.

How much human was still left in him?

But then he caught himself feeling ashamed when he saw how gentle König was with Marie.

He had risked his life to find books and yarn for her.

She knitted warm clothes for them.

The winter would be long and hard.

That was for sure.

Sometimes people traded seeds, the adults in this household had hoarded plantable seeds in their garage.

With clever management they would last the 3 for as long as they’d live… here.

As long as they’d live here.

Johnny groaned quietly.

“When the hell is he going to come back…”

The sun was nearly setting.

They had enough fuel for the generator to keep it running but they made an agreement to only use it in the winter.

The solar panels were still working but neither of them knew how to keep them intact.

One day, they’d have to pack up and leave.

Now it was summer, they could rely on heat, the rain.

The very few things that made life somewhat pleasant but once winter would come supply runs would be harder.

Maybe even impossible.

If they lost another ally among their ranks it would be over.

It wasn’t right to think like this, but if push came to shove he wanted to be the one to -

What’s wrong?

“I don’t know when… König’s going to come back. He’s running late.”

I don’t think it is a good idea for you guys to go out on supply runs alone, Johnny.

“I know, Marie… but I can’t just leave you here alone.”

You know I was in the special forces too!

Even when she signed every word she said, she still sounded angry.

“I’m sorry.”

I can’t lose either of you two. Not after all that has happened.

Johnny turned away, he didn’t want her to see the pain on his face. He needed to be strong for her.

“We need to prop up your beans tomorrow,” he turned back around, she got angry when he didn’t face her during conversations.

My tomatoes too. I need to start canning and pickling things. Did you find any salt on your last run? I need it for pickling. I might be able to make vinegar myself when the apples start coming in.

“I didn’t know you’re a chemist too.”

Very funny. One of the adults seemed to have good information on homesteading. What do you think I was reading every day?

He swallowed dryly.

Maybe something to get your mind off this horrible situation we’re in?

There was no way he could have ever said that to her.

“There’s movement in the woods!”

Marie jumped up, nearly tripping over her feet as she dropped her book on the ground.

“Stay back.”

Johnny’s voice was firm.

She touched his arm in confusion.

“Go upstairs and lock the door. Don’t come out.”

There were sounds in her throat that sounded like protest.

“Marie. Please.”

The firmness in voice was overtaken by desperation.

She squeezed his arm and ran upstairs.

Once he heard the door fall into lock he picked up his gun and stepped outside.

The stranger approached the house at a steady pace.

Who the hell… were they…

With a steady hand, Johnny lifted his rifle.

“Don’t fucking move or I’ll shoot!”

“Please it’s my daughter -“

“I said don’t fucking move.”

“… please my… daughter she’s very sick she needs a doctor,” it was only now that he realised she had been holding a toddler in her arms this whole time.

“Steaming bloody Jesus…”

“I-I promise we’re not infected it’s something else -“

Johnny felt his stomach drop, “I’ll be the one to make sure of that.”

He kept his gun at the ready as he approached the strangers, “Don’t try anything funny now.”

The woman tensed up as she saw the scanner in his hands. How in the world did he get his hands on it…?

“… you’re weren’t lying about the infection, but I still don’t know if I can trust you.”

Especially not since they still had no idea where König was.

“Please I…l…”

Stunned silence overcame the woman as she stared at the house.

Johnny didn’t dare to turn around but he already knew.

“Marie, I told you to stay back.”

The sound of her footsteps was firm and quick, he could hear her chatter.

It was the most noise she had made in years.

Can you show me the child?

“I-I am sorry I don’t speak…”

“She wants to see your daughter.”

“Oh! Of course,” the woman carefully unwrapped the child, both mother and daughter were roughed up.

Not the most ideal conditions for a sick child.

Marie took the child and rushed to the house.

The woman desperately looked at Johnny who sighed and gave in, “Go.”

He watched the women leave and kept a close eye on the tree line. Still no sign of König.

Inside the house, Marie carefully prepared a bath for the child.

It was the first time in years that mother and child saw clean, warm water.

Marie would have loved to explain that this house had its own water supply, they had found the connection to the well 3 days after… moving in.

… the family had hardly left when they came.

Nobody knew what had happened to them.

Or at least… she didn’t.

Johnny and König probably kept the information safe from Marie.

“My name is Louise Matthews… that’s my daughter Debbie. You’re… Marie?”

The woman only nodded knowing she couldn’t speak to the stranger.

“I’m sorry, the marines don’t really teach you sign language during basic training.”

Another soldier?

She could talk to Johnny and König later.

… if König would ever come home that was…

Marie drained the filthy water and rinsed off the child. She was lethargic.

But she’d be okay.

The little thing was emaciated.

She probably just needed proper nutrition and she would be fine.

Being clean and warm would help too.

A little boy and a little girl used to live in this house.

Marie had made sure to keep their rooms tidy, knowing full well they would never return.

She didn’t want to hand Debbie back to her mother, so she wrapped the child up in clean towels and carried her to the girl’s room.

“W-Where are your children?”

Marie only shook her head, remembering the little mounds of dirt and the makeshift graves, Matthews felt a cold horror creep up her spine.

“Oh my God I am so sorry -“

Marie sighed internally, she couldn’t explain to this woman that she had no children.

Maybe, in a different life.

In a kinder life.

If Simon was still…

She flinched at her own thoughts and hurried to get the child dressed.

Dwelling on it wouldn’t help her.

Once she held the sleeping child in her arms, she gestured for her mother to take a shower.

There were enough clean old clothes for two women.

The washing machine ran just fine too.

Lord knew for how long… König was strong enough to do the laundry by hand, that was for sure.

Marie watched the little girl sleep peacefully, she quietly left the room to prepare clothes for their… guest?

Yes, their guest.

Once she was done, she lifted little Debbie up and carried her into the living room. She prepared the sofa for the child so she could keep a better watch on her.

Matthews would probably take a long shower. Marie couldn’t blame her, she did the same when they first arrived. So did the boys.

Johnny slowly walked back into the house, dejected.

He would give König until sunrise.

… maybe 2 more days.

Then.

It would be time until their supplies ran out.

Two graves.

He’d never be able to cover his own.

The child just needs rest. She’ll be okay. Any sign from König?

“Not yet no…”

The gun weighed heavy in his hands.

Simon had taken himself out in an act of selflessness.

Price died protecting Laswell.

Gaz had sacrificed himself in an explosion to kill a bloater.

Only König, Marie, and him were left now.

How would they go?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Marie opened her arms to Johnny who could feel himself grow weak.

It had been years since he last cried.

She held him so gently that he felt every part of his body scream, every part of him ached.

For a better future, for the past they hadn’t cherished enough.

How he missed hearing her voice…

Marie hummed for him, at this point he knew he’d never hear her say his name ever again.

His fingers dug deep into the fabric of her shirt.

If only he had died and not Simon.

“O-Oh I’m sorry I didn’t mean t-to interrupt -“

They hadn’t noticed that Matthews had finished her shower until she said something. Johnny backed away from Marie and took position at the front door again.

Marie got up and walked into the kitchen to prepare food for the group.

It wouldn’t hurt to feed two additional hungry mouths for a little while…

Matthews felt awkward. Should she have stood quiet?

Either way, it would have been awkward for all parties involved.

She turned to Debbie who was still sleeping peacefully.

“Your wife is very kind,” the silence was getting too heavy.

Marie turned to Johnny in shock, who looked back at her with a firm gaze.

“She is. I’m lucky to have her.”

There was a faint blush on her cheeks and Johnny felt his tired muscles form a smile on his lips.

“What the hell…”

He grabbed his gun as he watched headlights appear in the woods.

Raiders?

Now?

They were done for.

It was a single car, if he’d shoot the wheels he’d be able to buy the group some time.

He watched Marie grab her kitchen knife, but gestured for her to stay back.

The door ached under the force that Johnny used to open it, gun raised he stepped outside.

“Don’t shoot, Seargent! It’s me!”

“How the hell did you find a working truck you madman?!”

König parked the vehicle in a safe distance to their house.

“Let’s say… there’s a reason this supply run took so long, come help me get these things inside. We got lucky this time around!”

He had filled a few crates with useful things he had found.

“I almost shot you.”

“That’s fair.”

They carried the goods inside, once it was all unloaded König noticed the new additions to their group.

“Oh, hallo.”

Matthews felt a cold shudder run down her spine, who in the world was that?

“This is König, he’s a… old friend of ours. König this is…”

“Louise, Louise Mathews and my daughter Debbie.”

The awkward silence spread once more, it was only interrupted by Marie’s happy chirping.

You found so many amazing things, König!

“I did my best,” he nervously shifted his weight and tried to laugh it off.

But he felt proud of himself.

It meant they could stay here, stay like this a little while longer.

Can you boys set the table please?

They wordlessly went to work, Matthews was kneeling next to her daughter, brushing the hair out of her face.

She didn’t mean to intrude on these poor people like this.

… normally people had to trade in order to receive treatment but she had already given up all her valuables for food.

She had to keep Debbie alive until she reached the settlement in which she suspected her uncle to live in.

News travelled faster now that people slowly began to adapt, and everyone knew someone.

But little Debbie had gotten sick, the rapid change of temperatures between day and night, running from the infected and hiding from raiders had taken its toll on the mother and daughter.

“Mommy?”

“Mommy is here darling -“

“I’m hungry.”

Little eyes opened wide, the girl sat up with the help of her mother and looked around, “Where are we?”

“I found a doctor for you, she’s a very kind woman.”

Debbie looked around and her eyes fixated on the people in the kitchen.

Mostly, the tallest one among them.

König nearly panicked when he realised that the child was looking at him, usually they were scared of him.

“Are you a real person?”

“I am.”

“Why are you wearing a bag over your head then?”

“The world is scary, it helps me be brave.”

Debbie’s eyes grew bigger, “Like Mr Waffles used to do for me?!”

“Who’s Mr Waffles?”, oh no. Johnny didn’t want to engage in conversation now here he was…

“My… oh… he was my plush bunny. I lost him, but he’s okay I’m sure! He makes someone else happy now!”

The three adults looked at each other, Marie gesturing towards the dining room.

After dinner, they could let Debbie play with the toys the children had left behind.

They walked over to the neatly set table, it wasn’t a lot of food but more than enough for the small group.

Enjoy your meal!

“She said, enjoy your meal.”

Matthews smiled apologetically at Marie, “Thank you…”

If it weren’t for the goodness of her heart, her husband probably wouldn’t have let Louise and Debbie stay, let alone get cleaned, dressed and fed.

She got that.

More than anyone else.

Protecting your family always came first.

“Why do you speak with your hands?”

Debbie watched Marie intently.

“She says, one day, I got very very sad. Sometimes when that happens, people will lose something important. I lost my voice, but I learned sign language for an old friend,” Johnny tried to hold back the tears that were welling up in the corner of his eye.

She didn’t have to be this honest but growing up in a world like this, you couldn’t possibly shelter the kids from everything.

“I lost Mr Waffles, that made me very sad. But I still have mommy! And you have your family.”

Marie smiled and chirped affirmatively.

Neither König nor Johnny expected her to ever speak again, but that was okay.

They finished their dinner in perfect silence.

It had been so long since Matthews had eaten a warm meal.

There was no way she could ever repay these people for their kindness.

A few large tears rolled down her cheeks, the adults let her cry.

Debbie reassured her mother that she wasn’t sad, it was okay that Mr Waffles was gone, maybe he had just found a child that needed him more.

What a good child she was…

“Please let me help you clean -“

Matthews stood up when the other adults did.

Debbie had found a safe corner in the dining room, a box of building blocks had caught her attention.

“You’re our guest.”

“I insist.”

Marie shrugged it off.

We will get done faster with help.

“You’re right,” Johnny sighed and gestured to Matthews to follow him.

On their way back to the kitchen, she finally noticed the little altar.

The picture.

Dog tags with names she had never heard before.

The children… this house didn’t belong to this group of people. But that wasn’t unheard of these days.

Matthews felt a little ashamed for making assumptions about the kind strangers.

But they had suffered a great loss, that was for sure.

“Are you guys ex-military?”

“No 10 horses would get me to join FEDRA, no matter what they promise us,” Johnny felt a stinging pain in his chest.

Maybe they would have lived if they had joined them.

If they stood in the QZ - no.

No, they had made the most sensible choices for themselves.

At the time.

They were still here.

Their friends had died so they could live, he would honour them by not questioning the choices that had brought them here.

“What about you?”

“Marines.”

Johnny only nodded, he had guessed that much. There were certain quirks that gave away who they were in another life.

None of these things really mattered now.

Their training was a joke when it came to the infected but it was good enough to keep other humans at bay.

At times, it were the humans that scared Johnny more than any clicker, stalker or bloater could ever do.

Once the kitchen was cleaned, the clock struck 1 in the morning.

“I think we should go to bed,” they secured all entry ways, locked up the windows and turned off the lights.

How could they be so sure nobody would come to harm them?

“We have… quite the reputation around these parts,” even that of being mind readers?

“I only heard of the doctor that lives here.”

König looked at Matthews for a good long while, “Then it’s just proof that people trust you. Otherwise, you would know what he’s referring to.”

There was no malice in his words, but for a moment Matthews felt nervous.

That at least meant Debbie was safe right?

If these people had a… reputation.

I can set up the guest bedroom for her, but I am sure she wants to stay with her daughter. Can you ask her what she wants to do?

“Your daughter would probably sleep better on a bed, we have a guest bedroom, but it’s separated from the kids room of course. We also have a cot.”

“I would like to stay with Debbie please,” Matthews highly doubted that she would sleep at all, but she appreciated the kind offer.

König and Marie walked upstairs first, setting up the accommodations for their guests.

“I… still don’t know your name,” Matthews watched the man intently. Out of all three, he had been the most cautious around her.

Every kind interaction seemed to slide off him like water off a duck’s back.

“John. John MacTavish.”

A little smile formed on her lips, “It’s nice to meet you, MacTavish.”

For the first time since she arrived here she watched him smile. It was broken. But it was still warm.

Matthews picked up her daughter who was fast asleep.

They walked upstairs, König and Marie waiting for them.

The medic, not doctor, checked the child one last time.

She should be in a stable condition overnight. I really think it’s just exhaustion.

“Debbie needs to rest, more than anything else right now, but you’re safe here,” Johnny gestured for König to join him. They walked down the corridor.

Matthews only watched them for a while, then she turned to Marie.

“I can’t… thank you enough for your kindness. I can’t give you anything in return I’m afraid, not right now.”

The woman only took her hands and chirped happy.

She knew that there was nothing she could tell her that Matthews would understand.

But she had given her something that Marie hadn’t felt in years.

Hope.

Hope for the future.

Maybe one day they would be okay.

She hugged the woman goodnight and rushed after the men.

Matthews closed the door of the bedroom and sighed.

Little plastic stars illuminated the ceiling.

Soft moonlight made Debbie look like a ghost.

The spectre of the life she was supposed to lead.

Happy and safe, surrounded by toys and books and dreams of one day growing up in a world that was open to her.

Not… a world overtaken by creatures that mercilessly hunted them down.

Louise sat down on the cot.

Normally she would have hated it, but she hadn’t slept in anything resembling a bed in years.

She felt tears well up in her eyes.

The world had ended.

But she still had to protect hers.

Once she lay down, she felt every cell in her body scream in agony. It had been days. Weeks.

Months even since she had last slept.

Power naps had kept her alive, but real actual sleep?

She hadn’t had that in forever.

The pillow was so soft and smelled nice.

Her blanket wasn’t too thick or too thin, the nightly breeze lulled her into a sound, dreamless sleep.

It was warm.

Bright.

Louise slowly woke up, but jolted awake when she found the children’s bed empty.

“Debbie?!”

Frantically, she got up, put on her boots and left the room in a hurry, the house was quiet -

Where was everyone?

Did something happen while she slept, did Debbie -

The sounds of joyful screeching echoed through the garden.

“You can’t catch me!”

“Don’t be so sure about that!”

Debbie was playing with König while MacTavish helped the good doctor prop up her tomatoes and beans.

All the fear and tension that had overcome Matthews fell off her.

“Good morning. We didn’t want to wake you up, you were sound asleep.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

She needed rest. The journey to her uncle’s settlement was still long.

There was no telling what obstacles they’d face.

If she wanted to survive, if she wanted to protect Debbie, she needed to be on top of her health.

“Why don't you stay a few more days? We could use a helping hand around here and it seems like König made a friend.”

It wasn’t anything the doctor had prompted, she was happily chirping while pruning her tomatoes.

“I would love that.”

#my writing #call of duty fanfic #john soap mactavish #könig cod #cod fanfic #tlou au #oc x canon #cod oc maria katharina rosales #cod oc marie #cod oc louise matthews #little bird #literally my most favourite fic i ever wrote augh #baby debbie and könig are best friends #and robyn gave me the first feedback on this #and that still makes me insane

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