#moklewrites

[moklebutt]

POOL PARTY

this took longer than expected, lort.

Rune lined up the sights on his rifle with the forehead of the man they were to take down. Riley’s dog, William, lightly thumped his tail against the ground as Rune squeezed the trigger, taking his shot. He gave the dog a gentle scratch between the ears, avoiding lingering too long. No need to get stitches again.

“I would kill for a trip to the beach right now,” Rune said into comms, “or even just a pool day.”

From his sniper’s nest, Rune watched as Riley dragged the body away from the prying eyes of any remaining guards.

“Seems like you just did buddy,” Riley’s hunting knife bit through the dead man’s wrist. A little postmortem amputation to further intel, “I just got the pool and jacuzzi refinished at my new place.”

Rune lost sight of Riley as she hopped into a nearby building, one that Axi was currently clearing to find…

“The safe with the scanner is on the second floor, meet you up here, Fives,” Axi relayed, finding a hand scanner underneath a forgotten desk.

Catching a glimpse through the windows, Rune watched as Riley and her other dog, Albert, bounded up the stairs, small flecks of blood from the severed hand staining the glass on their way up.

“Wait. Fives, when did you get a new place?” Axi and Rune asked in tandem, the realization hitting them both.

…

Exfil picked up the trio and the dogs a few hours later. Axi gathered as much physical intel as she could as Riley and Rune carried multiple harddrives out while they waited.

On the helo, Rune broached the question of, “were you being serious about the pool day?”

Riley, who was almost dead asleep with her head on Albert, gave a curt nod, “hell yeah, once we get to the safehouse, I’ll give everyone the address. The house ain’t big, but fuck, the backyard is…”

Axi rolled her eyes as God’s eepiest soldier lost the battle.

…Two Weeks Later…

While the plans were easy to make, the execution proved difficult with living out of the country and finding time with their line of work. But eventually, everyone’s stars aligned and they found themselves getting ready for a silly little pool party at Riley’s.

Johnny, who had been staying with her the past few weeks (as part of a custody agreement with Simon), was clearly the first to arrive. Hell, he woke before she did and was able to get the pool heater started and get the mocktails prepped.

Granted this energy quickly wore off and he found himself snuggled back in bed with Riley as the sun started to rise. 

…

An hour or so later (and an hour early), Simon knocked on the door. And waited.

And waited.

And…

Ding

His phone buzzed, a text message from Riley let him know the location of the spare key. She included a string of emojis 💋🧼💋🕔💋 as a small hello from herself and Johnny.

Letting himself in, Simon found no one in the living room and couldn’t see anyone through the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard. He approached the doors, setting down his bag of swim gear on the couch, and peered into the backyard.

Riley was right, the backyard was massive for the semi-suburban neighbourhood. A solid quarter acre with most of it being dedicated play space for her dogs. The crown jewel of the backyard was the pool though. Naturally shaped, Riley and her construction crew tried to emulate a Southern Californian beach as best as possible with a couple dwarf palms and ice plants potted around the edges.

Simon slipped off his gloves and helmet, testing the water with his fingers. It was delightfully warm considering it was sweater weather outside. Happy with the set up, he walked back in to find Riley and Johnny climbing down the stairs from their second floor.

“Si!,” Riley exclaimed, forgetting the last few steps and jumping into his arms. She was lucky the man was prepared to catch her, being used to her shenanigans.

“Good to see you too, love,” he chuckled, giving her a tight squeeze, before turning to his boyfriend and doing the same, “good to see both of you.”

“Always good ta see ya, Ghostie,” Johnny laughed, kissing Simon on the nose, “go git changed and meet us in the kitchen, ya?”

…

Rune knocked softly on Riley's front door, oddly a little nervous about whether it was the right house or not despite having seen her Porsche and truck in the driveway.

His fears were alleviated when Johnny attempted to open the door. Well. He had successfully opened the door but was run over by Riley's dogs who greeted Rune with wagging tails and happy “boofs”.

“Oi! Riles, come git yer damn dogs,” Johnny yelled back into the house, “come on in, Rune, I'll help ya bring in the big guns.”

Together the two men brought in Runes impressive collection of super soakers and the box of chip bags he brought. They placed the boxes down on the table in the backyard before heading back into the house.

Riley, having wrangled her beasts back inside, gave Rune a big bear hug. 

“Missed you buddy,” Riley said putting all of her strength into the hug (as was Rune), “this was a good idea.”

“Thank you for offering the pool,” Rune gasped for air, “now, where can I change?”

…

As Rune threw on his trunks and swim tank and Riley got her dogs into their playtime muzzles (she was trying her hardest to avoid any incidents at this get together), Simon let in the Kennedys and Kyle.

Axi and Leon came already dressed in swimwear, Axi in a bikini top and shorts and Leon in just trunks, while Kyle slipped into the guest bedroom to join his boyfriend in changing after saying his hellos.

Tofu, the Kennedy's little windhound, playfully greeted Albert and William. The two bigger dogs both play bowed back at her before running off into the backyard.

“Axi! Here, perfect timing, you can carry all this shit out to the patio with me,” Riley gestured at the fruit platter that Simon had made and the mocktails Johnny had crafted.

“Love that I get here and you immediately put me to work,” Axi rolled her eyes, grabbing the fruit tray.

“Listen, I would have asked Rune, but he had to get changed, you were the idiot who wore her swimsuit.”

“Yeah, idiot,” said Rune, who followed behind them, bringing out the beach towels he found in the spare room and Kyle, who was sitting on Rune’s shoulders… somehow.

“Oh, hey there Garrick, how did… what?” Simon questioned as he was heading back into the house.

“Trial and error, my spooky friend, trial and error,” came Kyle's reply.

…

John and Laswell arrived soon after the set up finished. Perfect timing as Riley was giving the others a quick tour of the house.

“Spare bedroom is over here to the right, yall can chuck your shit in there and decompress. There's a bathroom there. And up there, there's another room with a ‘bathroom’, it's a laundry room with a toilet in all honesty. Just be careful, that door doesn't lock” Riley pointed to the stairs, “The other door leads to my room. I don't mind yall being up there, but don't come crying to me when you see something you shouldn't have.”

They all scampered outside.

“Backyard! Feel free to swim or just chill. The top portion of the pool is a jacuzzi as is the jacuzzi over there,” she pointed to the patio deck, “Just have fun, no real rules besides try not to set the house on fire with the grill. Now, scatter.”

Kyle and Leon wasted no time and jumped straight into the pool, already having set up a race. Price and Laswell took to the hot tub, both having just finished a mission two days prior, Kate's first field job in months.

Simon and Johnny slipped away to actually get on swimwear. And Axi, Rune, and Riley figured now would be the best time to pick their weapons.

“Careful with that thing, Rune!” Riley chuckled as the tall man secured the largest super soaker. Picking dual pistols for herself, Riley shot Axi square in the tit before running off, Rune hot on her tail.

He dropped low, trying to hide within the palms alongside the pool. Rune heard Axi run past his hiding spot, chasing his prey.

Poking his head out of the palms, he spotted Riley, dead in her tracks. One of her pistols appeared to be stuck, the trigger not popping back into place. He silently took aim and…

Blam!

Riley was soaked to the bone, the big gun Rune carried packed a punch. Whipping her head around, she just missed seeing the man flop into the pool to refill and hide. Instead she spotted Axi flirting with her husband at the pool's edge, her gun placed too far away for it to have been her that shot Riley. But where could Rune have gone?

Rune, moving silently through the pool, successfully reached up to steal Axi’s gun. He swiftly exited the pool, hitting Axi with a well placed shot between the shoulder blades. She fell forward into Leon’s arms, laughing and playfully splashing at Rune as he stalked by locked-on to Riley who was trying to stop Ghost from leaving the house.

…

“Simon, please, I’m begging you, go put on the spare trunks. I… Straight up, I did not know it could look any bigger,” Riley sighed, avoiding eye contact with Simon as she shooed him back into the house.

“Riles, those aren’t fitting and you know it, I don’t see the problem with the speedo, it’s comfy and fits properly,” he retorted, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes.

“There are children about, cover up,” she glared.

“Why aren’t you asking Johnny to cover up? Seems like a double standard. And what children, Fives?”

“Johnny doesn’t have anything to hide, let him pretend he’s showing off,” she gestured at Johnny who was doing some trick dives with Kyle, “as for the children…”

As Riley was answering, she was hit in the back with a large burst of freezing cold water. She tensed up and yelped, trying to shake off the cold, turning to see Rune with two empty water guns spinning on his fingers. Oh, so he stole hers whilst she was distracted. Riley will remember this.

“Ohhhhhh, you woke up and chose violence didn’t ya, Rune?” Riley grinned, shivering.

“Always when it comes to super soakers. Tactical fun,” Rune nodded, handing Riley back her pistols, “what’s going on…”

Rune, making a sigh of disappointment and confusion, cast his gaze to the sky as he made the mistake of sizing up Simon.

“See? Spare trunks now,” Riley snapped her fingers, “don’t make me ask again. Rune, would you like to get drinks and snipe Axi and your boyfriend from the top Jacuzzi?”

Rune, already grabbing the mocktail he had been eyeing, set course to the Jacuzzi as Riley dealt with her least obedient dog.

[moklebutt]

pool party

part two

After some goading, Simon slipped back inside and threw on the spare trunks. And he was right. They did not fit him at all. Never had he thought that he should wear a belt while swimming.

He joined Johnny and Riley (who was gently drifting off to sleep)  in the top hot tub, enjoying the heat on his knots and stiff joints. Simon peered over the edge into the pool to watch as Axi and Kyle got into battle positions. Leon, having lost the swim race, had challenged Kyle to a chicken fight. Which was perfect when absolutely no one was the same height. 

Axi sat tall and proud on her husband’s shoulders, Kyle hunched forward slightly on Rune’s shoulders, trying to make it a fair fight. Leon stood as tall as possible as Axi and Kyle locked hands, pushing at each other. 

Axi, while small, was so scrappy. She attempted to both headbutt Kyle and kick Rune, neither of which were successful attacks, but they threw the boys off their game. Rune staggered backwards, cursing out Axi in Tagalog. Axi yelling back in Spanish.

The language of playful hatred transcends all barriers.

Slamming back into each other after the shouting match, Kyle knocked Axi off balance. She scraped the surface of the pool, using her tight grip on Leon’s hair to pull herself back into place, sopping wet.

Much like a rider and her horse, Axi kicked at Leon to drive him forward. Loyal and slightly scared, Leon charged forward, his hands tight around Axi’s ankles. Leon’s head made solid connection with Rune’s sternum, shoving the tall man back a few steps, his hands on Kyle faltering. 

“There’s no way that was a legal move!” Kyle yelled at Riley, who had apparently agreed to judge.

Riley, glancing over her sunglasses, casually waved him off, “all is fair in love and war.”

Johnny and Simon snorted, knowing she very much had not seen the move Leon pulled off.

“The Geneva Convention exists! Fives! Things are very much not all fair in war,” Kyle exclaimed, “YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT.”

Kyle made the fatal error of attempting to lock eyes with Riley to prove his point, his body relaxed enough for Axi to.

Just.

Push.

Him.

SPLASH.

Over.

Kyle surfaced seconds later, laughing his ass off. 

“Alright, that was a solid move, Kennedy,” he said, grabbing Rune from behind, resting his chin on his boyfriend’s shoulder.

Leon unceremoniously dunked his wife and himself, unsure of a better way to drop her.

“That was fun, we should do that again. After dinner. A rematch,” Axi said, fire in her eyes, the desire to kick more ass fully apparent. Leon gently guided her towards the edge of the pool to let her regain her composure.

…

Speaking of dinner, Price was making his position of “Team Dad” well known as he fired up the grill, having found Riley’s stash of charcoal. 

Kate helped him with making burgers, cutting veggies and shaping patties, as the grill heated up.

Slowly but surely, the smell of food drew all the kids out of the pool and to the deck. Burgers and bags of chips and sodas were passed around, bringing a truly American feeling to the sleepy Canadian town. 

Riley lacked a table large enough to host everyone at once, so lounge chairs and an inside table were dragged up and out to the patio. The makeshift banquet table had plenty of seating and space for the task force.

They all ate and talked like they hadn’t seen each other in years. Kate shared pics of herself and her wife, announcing that they were planning on adopting. Rune and Axi both cracked their own jokes about the amount of dad jokes the poor future child would be exposed to. Neither Price nor Simon found the jokes funny. 

Kyle shared that he was doing online school during downtime, finally earning the degree he wanted. 

“It’s nothing useful, but I’ve always enjoyed botany,” he mused, sharing fun facts about plants and the history of plant domestication. Rune made the mental note to grab cuttings of Riley’s succulents before they bailed.

Leon shared pics and videos of his and Axi’s recent trip to Hawaii, while she and Riley fed the dogs. The dogs who Riley had recently trained to do a few new tricks (mostly just more tactical usage, but Tofu could now shake and spin in a circle on command).

…

Post dinner, the sun was still low in the sky, providing enough light to allow for a final swim or two. Axi, finding herself too full, flew her little white flag, promising Rune and Kyle a rematch next time.

“The pool will still be here in the morning, there’s no need to rush unprepared into a second battle,” Leon said sagely, nursing a warm cup of tea, enjoying the cooling air around him. Axi rested her head on Leon’s chest, cozying up to him on their shared recliner. 

Kyle and Rune ran off for one last super soaker battle, the sunset providing just enough light. Kyle seemed most likely to win this time around, finding a hidey hole ASAP.

Riley and Price settled a bet about lung capacity while Simon, Johnny, and Laswell just floated, lightly chatting. The dogs had all collapsed and were sleeping in a gentle pile, Albert looked stressed in his sleep, surrounded by two long snoots and so. Much. Fluff. 

As the sun fully set, the group found themselves returning to the safety of the deck. Laswell relit the grill as Riley scampered through her pantry for s’mores fixings.

Returning successfully with many types of chocolate bars, graham crackers (honey and cinnamon), and too many marshmallows, Riley built herself some horrifying affront to god. They all roasted marshmallows and just munched on good crackers.

“Y’all are free to spend the night, if you want,” Riley said, sucking down a bottle of water, having had too much sugar, “I’ve got the guest bed and a bunch of blankets and air mattresses. Could probably rig up a movie screen too with the projector and a big sheet.”

The majority of the Task Force, Price and Laswell excluded, all loved the idea. Unfortunately the work couple had to get home, actually having to show up on base the next morning. Price clapped everyone on the back, thanking Riley for the relaxing day, while Kate had to fight off Axi who had fallen a little delirious (flirty, she was acting like she was when drunk, a total flirt) thanks to the sun and slight dehydration. 

The remaining group turned in, grabbing all the soft things from Riley’s house, while she set up the air mattresses and Johnny hooked up the projector to her laptop. Rune and Kyle dragged the guest bed mattress out to the “living room”, claiming the tallest and softest bed for themselves (and the three dogs who would join the boys).

Axi picked some stupid romcom, while Leon cuddled up to Simon (who sat awkwardly on both the Kennedy’s mattress and the Bowers-MacTavish mattress). Riley had sacked out immediately, face buried in her pillow, arm flopped sadly on Johnny’s knee. Kyle struggled to stay awake, while Rune and Johnny, sitting eight feet apart, played some game together on their phones. 

Eventually everyone nodded off, although never at the same time, as Netflix played movies at random.

[moklebutt]

Gonna be using tumblr to share some writings. feel free to ignore, mostly self insert with some friends!

Dear Axi,

Hey. It’s been a bit. I hope missions have been going well. Hope the team is well. Can’t begin to tell you how much I miss everyone. Partially because this isn’t very secure, partially because I never have the word.

I might be coming back to base soon. Not with the taskforce, just on site. I’ve been told it's uncouth for someone to come back to the armed forces after being admitted. I think Capt. pulled some strings. I’m doing a lot better. Haven’t wanted to walk into the sea for months. 

Probably for the best. Christ, I missed being with the dogs. I’ve been back where we did basic, they got some new recruits and pups. I showed them what to do. Trained for about six months. 

I’ve been trying to write you since I got out of the hospital. But I kept getting “return to sender” as though the address was wrong. My wound has fully healed at least. But it turns out telling your CO that you want to “turn your service revolver on yourself” is not a great thing to say after spilling your guts to someone else. Physically and… uh… well. I assume he told you what happened.

Also turns out? I’m dumb. The address was wrong. I finally asked someone close. I had a few numbers swapped… oops. Well. You’ll have a bunch of letters to read when I get back. Some photos of the puppies too.

Next month, first Tuesday, I’ll be back on base. William, Albert, and some new friends will be coming too. I’m helping with the bite work here. Give everyone my love if they want it. 

-Fives <3

Axi blinked. She couldn’t fucking believe it. Riley was alive? And safe? And coming home?

“LEE! Get in here!” She yelled, clutching the letter in her hands.

Her husband rushed in, “what? What is it?”

Shoving the letter into his hands, Axi left the room and jogged into the common area. Her eyes darted between the four men that sat around the little coffee table.

“Where’s Price,” she inquired. Rune bumped his finger at the door to the kitchen, smiling politely at her. Axi thanked him before continuing her journey, leaving the group a little confused in her wake.

Spotting her target, she went in. Axi needed answers. Now.

…

Leon plopped down on the beanbag chair in the common room, gripping the letter. Wordlessly he handed it to Ghost, who was sitting closest to Leon.

A small head tilt, “Kennedy, what is this?”

“Just read it. Out loud,” Leon teared up, his emotions catching up.

…

“What the fuck, Price?” Axi almost screamed. Nonsense about a letter and Fives falling from her tongue.

The captain bit his tongue, wanting to put the small woman in her place. But this was not the time. Insubordination could slide for now. He had to explain Riley’s absence.

He sat down at a table, gesturing for her to take a seat as well.

“Truthfully, I assumed you knew. She told me she had been writing to you,” Price started, seeing the tears welling in Axi’s eyes, “but it seems you never got them. As far as I am aware, she just assumed you were ignoring the letters. Fives never brought them up after she was discharged.”

Axi took a deep breath. Stilling herself, “the letter I just received. Two things, sir?”

Price nodded, she continued.

“The first. She said she’s coming home? Is that true?”

“That would be news to me, but Laswell did mention the base getting a few more bodies soon. Bowers and her dogs would be bodies.” He genuinely hadn’t heard anything besides that cryptic message. It would make some sense. There were other people on the base. It was just the task force in the building they occupied, but the base was large and sprawling.

“And the second thing. Riley mentions spilling her guts to someone. Besides the stabbing. It seems like she said a lot and got a shitty response since she told you she wanted to off herself afterwards. Who hurt her? I need to know.”

Price sighed, “it’s not a concrete answer. But…”

…

“Signed, Fives,” Ghost said, voice wavering just slightly.

“Kennedy, this is a sick prank. She was discharged. We know this,” Gaz calmly stated, trying to take it all in.

“It’s not a prank, Garrick. This is her hand writing. She did the stupid thing where she dots the i in puppies with a heart,” Ghost retorted, slapping the paper to emphasize his words.

Gaz yoinked the paper from the larger man’s hands, bickering with him the whole time. Leon joining in to get his points across. Rune kicked back and watched, enjoying the show.

No one noticed as Soap had slipped away, heading back to his suite.

Well. No one but Axi, who was now hot on his tail. She would have her fucking answers, even if that meant confronting the man Riley had accidentally fallen for.

…

Axi coaxed Soap to spill everything. Threatened would be a better word.

But. As she learned:

Soap hadn’t meant for their little fling to turn into anything more than a one off. But Riley made that so difficult. After discussing things with Ghost (trust is key in a relationship such as theirs), Riley and Soap had entered into a fun little no strings attached relationship. 

Fives. She had gained feelings for Soap. More than just physical attraction and lust. 

Soap said that Riley had tried to hide it, to fight it, but it was obvious. He didn’t care. Hell, he would admit he was feeling the same. 

They had promised to have a conversation about the relationship after Riley got back from an intel mission.

Things went south and she was badly injured. Axi knew that. Riley had been in the hospital, she had been stabbed. Almost gutted.

What Axi didn’t know was that Soap went to visit Riley. Riley confessed, letting him know that he could call off everything.

“I fucked up 411. I fucked up hard.”

“What did you do, Soap?”

“I cried.”

… 

A few weeks later, just as promised, Riley appeared. Well. Really her dog did. 

Having trouble sleeping, Soap had been the first one up since the letter arrived. And since his conversation with Axi. He had been on his way to grab a protein bar from the kitchen when he saw the sable borzoi lazing on the couch. In Riley’s favorite spot.

He went to pet the dog, pulling back slowly at the last second, remembering the last time he did. Who knew sighthounds had such a nasty bite!

Letting the massive dog sleep, he wound his way out of the building. Earbuds in, Soap began his morning run, a little warm up before whatever training he picked to distract himself.

…

Axi had been the next to wake up. Which was odd. She was never up before the sun. Years of being in the service couldn’t kick that habit. But yet here she was, making her way to grab a snack.

“William!” She gasped, spotting the small horse, “how I missed you!”

Scrabbling on to the couch, she hugged the dog for dear life. His tail thumping impossibly hard against her calves. William nipped lightly at Axi’s hands, begging for pets, before sacking out again. 

Axi too drifted back to sleep, the borzoi keeping her warm.

…

Perhaps by fate, perhaps by chance, Soap found his warm up run ending at the kennels on the far side of the base. Roughly two miles from where he started. 

While doing a few stretches, Soap heard one of the gates clang open. 

He jumped.

She froze.

Riley waved gently, a few tears dripped down, disrupted only by the grin plastered on her face.

“Morning, Soap. It’s great to see you,” she said, a little nervous.

“Riley,” was all he said, moving to grab her tightly in his arms. He squeezed, making sure she was real. He had fucked up before. Had said the wrong words. This was his fault.

“Johnny,” she whispered, nuzzling his chest, not giving a shit about how sweaty he was, “none of this was your fault.”

“I said that out loud?” She nodded into his chest as a ‘yes’.

They stood together for a moment.

“Your dog is on the couch,” Soap said, breaking the silence.

Riley laughed, breaking the hug, “so that’s where he bolted off to.”

“Would you like to come collect him?”

Riley nodded, “let me grab some things.”

…

Soap and Riley reentered the base, finding everyone else to be awake and hanging around the kitchen. He left her to deal with the majority of the gang, heading off to finish his exercise. 

Ghost was the first to look up, his eyes going wide behind his mask upon seeing the blonde woman stroll through the door. 

“Fives!” He shouted, getting up to say hello. He was beaten by Gaz, who had wrapped her into a tight hug, ruffling her short hair.

Riley laughed and hugged everyone, exchanging greetings and playful threats and promises to explain everything when she had time. 

Ghost filled her in on mission updates, not caring that the information was classified. She was team for fucks sake. Riley intently listened to all the gory, graphic details. 

“Can’t believe I’m back,” she said, gripping his and Gaz’s hands, grounding herself.

“We’re happy you’re okay, Fives,” Price beamed, “it’ll be good to see you around.”

She nodded, “all of you are always welcome to come watch and participate in training. The cadets get tired of wearing the bite suits.”

…

Axi awoke, mildly cold as her space heater had walked off. Stretching, she accidentally smacked Rune in the knee.

“Good morning, 411, glad to see you’re alive,” Rune smiled, it was his trademark afterall, “Riley is here. She flew in last night.”

Axi jumped up, “well, then let’s fucking say hello!”

“Everyone else already has, she’s been with Soap in his quarters for a bit. The door is open if you want to stop by,” Rune told her. Axi glared Soap shouldn’t be anywhere near her. Especially not alone. 

Axi stomped off, not hearing Rune tell her that William was sleeping on her bed. Rune rolled his eyes and continued watching whatever John Wayne flick was on today.

[moklebutt]

New Year's Eve at the Kennedy's

2130

John and Kate arrived at the Kennedy’s. Price wore a nice suit with a themed bowtie, little fireworks sparkled against the black silk. Laswell too donned a suit, almost matching her work husband’s, although the jacket itself sparkled gently in the moonlight. A last minute plan hatched as her wife had fallen ill (PCOS hurting too much to leave home). The two came in a humvee “borrowed” from the motorcade. Ever the gentleman, Price extended his arm for Laswell, who happily took it. 

He carried a few nice bottles of champagne, she brought sparklers.

2145

Rune and Kyle parked behind the humvee, the deep blue McLaren 570S caught the attention of the neighbours. Kyle held the passenger door open for his boyfriend, cracking gentle little jokes while Rune grabbed his phone from the center console. Rune stepped out, his outfit further confusing the neighbours. White, flowy top, sleeves big enough to put a small child inside, high waisted pants, and a half dozen straps to keep the pants and boots in place. An odd choice for a New Year’s party. The strappy black fit that Gaz wore did not turn as many heads, perhaps due to the night having long fallen. Ashame, the neighbours would have seen the cropped jacket and thigh harness. Kyle was so excited to be out for the night, the couple having picked the outfits out for each other. They bumped their foreheads together and shared a laugh before walking in, boot heels clicking against the pavement.

They both brought in boxes of cookies. Homemade and delicious.

2220

Riley was not normally late to things, but here she was, Johnny sitting shotgun, Simon tailing them on his bike, almost an hour late to the party. Somehow she forgot the drinks she bought for the party and wound up needing a pitstop. She stepped out of her Porsche, popping off the steering wheel before smoothing out her sparkly dress. As she grabbed a few things out of the backseat, the neighbours were quick to notice her companion’s… outfit of choice. Both of them actually. The shorter one wore a black suit jacket with a matching kilt (the pleats lined with his family’s tartan), the tall one was violently underdressed. Just slacks and a black button up (and a motorcycle helmet which he shucked to let Riley brush his hair). Ghost added a sleek body chain, which Riley had brought in her car, to his ensemble. He kissed both Riley and Soap on their cheeks before sliding on a dark face mask.

Johnny carried in the cooler full of liquor, Riley carried her steering wheel and two plates. One of brownies and one of “brownies”. And Simon brought up the rear with his helmet and case of water in hand.

2230

Ghost caught sight of Axi and just about lost his composure (truthfully everyone did). Her little, sparkly dress barely hanging on. She waved him over to her, everything threatening to spill out. Who was he to deny her a conversation?

Simon having walked off left Riley and Johnny to mingle without him. Which was easy enough, almost everyone else was already a little hammered. Price threw his arms around the couple, dragging them towards the couch where he, Laswell, Rune, and Kyle were hanging out.

2300

Riley found herself delightfully crossfaded. As did Kyle. And as did Leon. The brownies hit hard and fast. Price and Laswell were already passed out, his head in her lap. Johnny stayed just gently buzzed, enjoying how the others were losing their shit at the tales Rune was spinning.

Rune found himself reciting old missions, making up others, for the entertainment of his far from sober friends. The one that got the most uproar was the tale of how he slayed a dragon, weirdly everyone seemed to believe him. Not questioning how similar the story seemed to the opening scene of Skyrim.

2340

Riley answered a skype call request on her phone. Alex and Farah were a little grainy but they did their best to wish the task force a “Happy New Year!” a few minutes early. The crew shouted the words back, stirring Price and Laswell from their slumber.

With the phone to reality communication, the friend group grew larger as Axi and Simon returned in time to  have Price get a call from Nik, the same message being relayed. The now phone to phone to irl conversation lasted a few minutes longer, the skype call’s quality dropping quickly. 

They all quickly said their goodbyes, raising glasses and snacks to good friends in good places.

2358

Stumbling a bit, everyone made their way outside, the cold snap of the Canadian air sobering them up a bit. Laswell passed out sparklers and lighters. Axi supplied party hats and goofy glasses.

2359

The countdown began. Kyle and Rune yelled the loudest, trying to outdo each other, holding hands and drawing closer as the numbers decreased. 

Kate and John clinked their champagne glasses together, joining the chant.

Riley and Soap sat in the grass, watching their sparklers from a Riley-safe distance. He sat behind her, firmly clasping her against his chest, both mouthing the numbers.

Simon stood with Axi and Leon, his fingers gently intertwining with the others’. Axi squeezed his hand in time with the countdown. Leon, very bad at rhythm, squeezed in between the counts.

0000

Kyle and Rune shared a gentle little kiss, tender and sweet, just like the boyfriends themselves.

Price gave Laswell a nice hug before she sent her wife many kissy emojis.

The Scot pressed his cheek against the Bakerite’s as she watched a few fireworks shoot off in the distance. She rubbed circles on his hands with her thumbs. 

Ghost whispered something to Axi and Leon as they kissed, a dirty secret he hoped would fall on deaf ears.

0900

The group awoke from their shitty slumber as the Kennedy’s dishwasher signaled it was done. Rune and Kyle had taken up refuge in the couch cushion fort they had built sometime in the night. Rune found himself grasping Tofu, who Axi had let out of the bedroom when going to bed, as he usually held his plushies. The dog did not mind one bit. 

Price and Laswell woke up in two different guest bedrooms. They slept the best of the task force.

Riley and Johnny found themselves in… the master bedroom? Not dwelling on it, Riley got out of the bed and headed to the kitchen to fix up a breakfast, finding herself to be completely sober. Soap fell back to sleep for a few more minutes, his hangover hitting hard.

1015

Axi, Leon, and Simon stumbled into the main house having spent the night in the mother-in-law suite behind the house. Riley quickly handed them all glasses of orange juice, ibuprofen, and  plates of pancakes and breakfast patties. They joined the others in the couch fort in silent enjoyment.

Riley had turned the lights down low, avoiding eye pain (and keeping everyone from seeing what a hot mess they all were), and had thrown on the Rose Parade on low volume. She grabbed a few of the cookies Rune and Kyle had made before settling down in the fort too.

1045

Cozy and warm, the task force found themselves drifting off to sleep once more.

[moklebutt]

no one but you asked for it, so here it is

Once a month, missions allowing, the 141 found themselves hanging out outside of the base. They took turns picking the activity and this month, it was Riley’s turn to pick.

For some godforsaken reason she had picked a cowboy bar a few cities over, something about “wanting to watch the rodeo with people who could name the bulls” or some such nonsense. Axi did not pretend to understand, nor did she really want to. She was just happy to be kicking her husband’s ass in pool.

Leon sulked, his borrowed cowboy hat hanging over his eyes, he was not happy to be getting his ass kicked in pool. “The cues are warped,” he complained, “the balls aren’t round.”

“Your balls aren’t round,” Rune chimed in as he sauntered over to the couple, a Shirley Temple in hand. The energy of the bar had him feeling feisty, a not aught seen side of the lanky man. He was in his natural element, the patrons reminding him so much of the movies he grew up on.

Axi laughed and flagged down Kyle and Johnny who were looking a little lost.

“Overwhelming, isn’t it? Riley used to drag me to a place like this when we were in basic. Never understood the appeal, but she and Price seem to be enjoying the crowd,” Axi gestured over to the other room where the duo was hanging. Riley was engrossed with some other bar patron, having a conversation about…

“Soap, what does Riley usually give you facts about when she watches the rodeo?” Axi asked, lining up for her next shot.

“Uhh,” he thought for a moment, taking a swig of his beer, “feck if I ken. Something’ ta do with ‘breedin’ outputs’.”

EPD, estimated progeny difference . That’s what Riley was chatting about with the patron. The ability to predict how well the offspring of a bull would do before they were born. Riley was hardcore in her rodeo bull knowledge. Price seemed to be making a few new friends, discussing soccer from the looks of the hand motions he was making.

“How is that something you can have a discussion about?” Gaz asked, sliding next to Rune, who threw an arm around his boyfriend’s shoulder. Kyle leaned in, the whiskey hitting him harder than expected.

Soap shrugged, “usually she shares photos of cute cows and I’m happy.” After watching Leon fail again to pocket the ball he was on, he scanned the bar for his boyfriend. His outside outfit made him more approachable, just a black face mask and some heavy eyeshadow, no skull mask, this did make him a little harder to spot.

Ghost sat at the bar itself, enjoying idle talk about Manchester with the bartender, who seemed to be an expat herself. The bartender was sweet, Johnny saw no flirting in her body language, just pure joy to be talking to someone who wasn’t a cowboy.

The woman who approached Ghost after Soap returned his attention to his friends though…

“Hey there handsome,” came a voice to Ghost’s left.

He turned his attention to the woman, “what’re you doing?”

“What?” the woman tilted her head, confused at Simon’s less than pleasant opening line.

“I’m married, love,” Ghost flashed his ring at the woman. The “wedding” ring had been a group gift from Axi and Leon, Soap and Riley had given him a… less conventional ring that he also wore with pride. Ahem. They had figured he would just hold onto it for sentimental reasons, no one expected the visible ring to be something he wore all the time when they left base.

“So am I,” the woman drunkenly slurred. Ghost turned to face the woman fully as she placed her hand on his shoulder, massaging it lightly.

From across the room, multiple pairs of eyes found themselves settling on the woman as Riley and Price rejoined the rest of the squad just in time to see this unfold.

“Where’s your husband?” Ghost casually asked, sensing the intense heat of his partners’ glares on his neck. No, they weren’t for him. They trusted him. But they did not trust the woman who’s massive ring glinted in the shitty bar lighting.

“He’s in California,” she chuckled, making bedroom eyes at Ghost, “where’s your wife?”

The speech about heteronormativity and monogamy centric thinking could wait. Right now he had a husband and two partners (and a Riley) waiting for him to make the right move and tell the woman to fuck off.

“My wife and our friends are standing right over there, staring at you,” Ghost said as calmly as possible.

The woman glanced over at Axi for some reason and her smile faltered. Axi, in her short stature, looked absolutely not threatening, especially in the white sundress she wore.

“I’ll handle this,” the adulterer said, swaying over towards Axi. She was fully confident that she could beat up Axi.

Ghost locked eyes with Riley, giving her a “shut this down” motion. Riley grabbed Price, hoping to use him to grab the others before…

CRASH

Before that.

The woman who tried to pick a fight with Axi (by chucking a beer bottle at the shorter woman’s head) found herself being thrown onto the pool table by Axi herself. Axi wasn’t normally one to give other bar patrons black eyes, but she also wasn’t one to stand for cheating.

“Si, we gotta go!” Riley hollered across the room. Simon quickly settled their bar tab and rushed towards the group.

Everyone but Axi and Leon bailed. The Kennedys could handle shit on their own.

Tried to bail would be better phrasing.

Someone had called the cops the moment the other woman started her walk towards Axi. And they were faster than any cops the task force had seen before.

They were ushered outside and forced to sit on the curb while the cops took statements and waited for a few more squad cars to show up. And an ambulance for the woman who now had a black eye and a broken arm thanks to her trying to fight Johnny after Axi let go.

Laswell would have fun getting them all out of the drunk tank in the morning. She let her phone ring for all eight calls.

[moklebutt]

ANGST, ANGST, ANGST, ANGST

Riley’s head hit the underside of the sink she was camped under. Her phone timer blared, alerting her that it was time to check the results of the 6 pregnancy tests she just took. Slapping around blindly above her, she knocked the collection of plastic to the floor.

Every single one read “pregnant” in its own language. Double ticks, crosses, even just the word in bold, flashed before Riley’s eyes. If she had anything else in her, she probably would have vomited from the confirmation. Instead, she just pressed her palms against her eyes, rubbing little specks of color into her vision, and groaned.

“Fives? That you?” Gaz's voice echoed from the other side of the bathroom, Riley must have failed to notice him when she first barraged in or failed to notice him come in.

“Yeah… over here by the sinks, Kyle,” she sighed, senses returning enough to feel the pain throbbing in the back of her skull.

She quickly shoved the tests into his… her hoodie pocket, hiding her secret from one of her best friends. Kyle approached the sinks and crouched down to eye level with Riley, he clearly had just gotten out of the shower, his robe haphazardly tied, small droplets of water clung to his face.

“Hungover again?” he asked. That had been her cover up for the morning rush to the bathroom. Hungover from drinking her sorrows away. Truthfully she hadn’t touched anything like that in the two and a half months that Johnny had been gone. 

“Yeah, as always,” she snorted, glancing up at Kyle’s soft eyes. He seemed concerned, his brow furrowed and his head cocked just slightly. He extended a hand.

“Let’s get you off of this nasty floor and back to your room, sound good?”

Kyle helped Riley up off the floor, maneuvering her head away from the exposed pipes. She dusted herself and smiled gently at Kyle before absolutely losing it. Tears streamed down her face, built up from not talking about anything to anyone for months coming out at once.

Poor Kyle stood there for a moment before embracing the woman. He cupped the back of her head, holding her gently. 

“Is there anything I can do for ya, Fives?” he asked, sighing as she just sobbed into his robe.

She shook her head, “I need to talk to Ghost.”

…

After she calmed down, Gaz removed Riley from his shoulder and walked her to the lieutenant’s room. Assuring him that she’d be okay, Gaz walked back to the bathroom to finish up his shower.

Riley knocked on the door, silently praying that Ghost would be out, that she could put off this conversation. Or just never have it. That would be ideal.

But alas, he was in and let Riley inside.

Riley sat down on his bed, taking up as little space as she could, her hands shoved in the pocket of her jacket, running her fingers over the six tests jammed in there. Ghost pulled up a chair and sat facing her.

“What’s on your mind, Riley?” He asked, his voice quivering, knowing that all conversations between them could be fragile.

Riley bounced her leg up and down rapidly, she should have prepared a speech or something. Something that would have let her be prepped at this moment. He placed a hand on her knee, encouraging her to relax. She clasped her hand over his.

“Ghost, I need to tell you something. I don’t know how. Words are not my strong suit. Especially not now,” her free hand dug deep in the pocket, gathering all of them, “so I’ll just give you these. Spark a conversation I guess.”

Riley turned over Ghost’s hand and quickly dropped all of the tests into his open palm. His eyes went wide. Immediately knowing what the little plastic sticks were. She could see as he struggled to swallow, words jammed in his throat.

“You’re?” was all he could stammer out. Riley turned to tears again, nodding.

Ghost dropped the tests on the floor and scooted closer, “hey, hey. It’s okay. This is okay. Let’s talk, yeah?”

Riley wiped the hideous amounts of snot and tears from her face. She continued her nodding until she was confident she could breathe and get through a sentence without bawling again.

Ghost gripped her knees gently, “what do you want to do, Riles?”

“I don’t know. This isn’t something I want. But. I know that you want to be a father. And Johnny did too,” she avoided his gentle gaze.

“I know you’ve never wanted to raise a kid. You’ve been clear about that the whole time I’ve known ya, love,” Ghost went to cup her cheek in one hand, soothing her, “don’t feel like you have to carry my horrid spawn for me.”

“It’s not,” Riley’s voice was low, too low for Ghost to hear.

“We’ll get you an appointment off base if that’s what you want,” he prattled on, her attempts at getting his attention falling on deaf ears.

“Simon,” got him to stop talking for a moment, “Si. It’s…

Riley struggled to clarify.

“This isn’t yours.”

Ghost tilted his head, puzzled, “then why did you come to me? You’re an adult, you can talk to the other people you- oh.”

He saw how fast her expression changed.

“Yeah. Timeline only makes sense for Johnny to be the father. This is why I needed to talk to you, Simon. I don’t know what to do.”

Ghost stood up and turned to rummage through his desk, frantically searching for something. He produced two papers, one a business card for an off site natal clinic, the other a very short list of baby names written very clearly in Soap’s handwriting, a strange hodgepodge of cursive and block lettering.

“Johnny and I had talked about finding a surrogate. The plan was next year,” Ghost slid off his balaclava, his emotions fully on display, his features soft, lost in a good memory, “but Riley, if you are willing to carry, I want to raise this child. You do not have to be involved, but I want a chance at getting to raise his kid.”

“I figured that was the case. Simon, there's no guarantee that I can carry this to term. I need you to understand that,” he nodded violently at her words, “there are a million factors going against this pregnancy. My own personal medical history, Johnny's, the fact that I have an IUD in place.”

Simon took a deep breath, exhaling hard enough to flip his overgrown hair. Riley smiled, rarely getting to see this man’s face, she stroked the dirty blonde locks back into place.

“I know it's asking a lot. More than I've ever asked before. Crossing probably the biggest line you have but. I. I want to have the chance of raising his kid. Make Johnny happy…” Simon trailed off.

“If you’re willing to go through this with me, I will carry. Get me an appointment at the clinic and we can talk with a doctor. I just need you with me every step of the way, Simon.”

Simon rested his head against Riley���s belly, “I promise. We'll do this together. I’ll make the appointment now. After that, we'll talk to Price about leave for us both, yeah?”

“He’ll understand, hell, I’m sure he’d love to lend a hand,” Riley said, absentmindedly stroking her fingers through Simon’s hair, “you have a weird little village at your fingertips.”

…

Three months later, Riley found herself mourning the loss of her pregnancy. A feeling she never, ever expected to happen. A feeling she didn’t want.

She could feel how disappointed Simon would be at her once he returned from his mission. How disappointed Johnny would have been for failing to keep a promise. 

She had done everything right. Taken the vitamins, gone to every single doctor’s appointment, stayed active, watched what she ate. Everything within her power.

And yet there she lay, in her bunk, sobbing her eyes out, begging softly for this to be some cruel joke. For the horrific bleeding and days in the hospital to just be a sick fever dream. 

She flipped over onto her back, looking up at the photos she pinned to the underside of her bunk. Photos of her and Johnny, him and Simon, the three of them together. Photos of happy times. The pic of young Johnny in his football kit (one that his mom had given her much to his embarrassment) free of scars, both physical and mental, sparked too many thoughts.

Would the kid have looked like him? Would they have taken more after Riley herself? 

Riley, sitting with her thoughts, knew that it wasn't a family she craved but normalcy. Something that wasn't constantly fighting to survive and losing friends and partners. How many lives had she taken? How many people had she put in the same position she was in now?

She sighed and rolled over again, tears clouding her vision as another wave of cramps hit her. 

Breaking lease would be easy enough, her landlord would understand, being a mother of six herself. She still had American citizenship, flying home wouldn't be an issue. But did she want to return to Baker? Bury her problems, forget the task force. She could bring the dogs, they were technically hers after all. Start some dog training program in the god forsaken desert.

Riley shut her eyes, trying to avoid thinking about how pissed Ghost would be. His last chance to raise Soap’s kid was obliterated because of her stupid genetics. Ghost had said many times that it would be okay if she couldn't carry to term. He assured her and reassured her constantly that this whole thing was her decision.

But would he keep his words when he returned to base? When she broke the news?

Her sobbing slowed, cramps dying off momentarily. As her sleeping pills kicked in, Riley tried her best to wave off the feeling of dread.

…

She awoke the next morning to the feeling of being held. Ghost's large arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

“Good morning, Fives,” Ghost said sleepily, voice gruff and grainy, “how'd you sleep?”

Riley sniffled, trying to remain calm, “like a damn rock, didn't hear you come in. Should've woken me when you got in.”

“Price said you haven't slept in days. Probably would have been animal cruelty to wake you up,” Ghost squeezed her gently, Riley's legs drawing up into a fetal position almost reflexively.

“Simon, I think we need to talk,” Riley stammered out, uncomfortable with beating around the bush.

“If it's about your stay in the hospital and the reasoning, there's no need. Price got the info to me,” Ghost said, moving his hand down to rub little circles on her hip, “got a feeling that's why you haven't been sleeping, hm? Scared of me?”

“I didn't want to disappoint you,” she sobbed quietly.

Simon tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear, caressing her face in the process, “I have no right to be disappointed. You promised to try and you did, that's more than I could ever ask, Riles. I'm just glad you're okay. Couldn't live with myself if I lost you too.”

“So you're not mad?” Her voice still small and far off.

He shook his head, not that she could see, “never. I knew going in that this was a possibility, ya?”

He paused, considering his words.

“I'm sad, yes. But I don't think this was the right time for a shot at fatherhood. I'm not ready to retire. And I think I'd rather have Riley being herself than the miserable thing she turned into the past few months.”

“I'd like to be me again, too,” she said, relieved that he, at least for now, wasn't angry.

“Lemme know how I can help, love,” Simon whispered, sleep overpowering him again.

“Just stay here, sleep for a bit more,” she turned towards him, wrapping an arm around the brick house of a man.

“Copy,” Ghost said, tucking her head under his chin, “then we'll pack your bags, grab the dogs, and head to your place for the rest of downtime?”

“I'm on call with the cadets ‘til Friday, but yeah, I’d like that.”