#advisor!Gaz

[ghouljams]

GHOUL IM GOING TO ASCEND, MEDIEVAL!GAZ???? MARRYING HIS LITTLE LOVE???? TO PROVE HIS INTENTIONS ARE /PURE/??? I am going to vibrate at a frequency previously unheard of. I am going to slip into the core of the earth and burn to a crisp.

Sure, yeah, pure intentions.

He doesn't watch you go about your work with dark eyes tracing the curve of your waist, or shift in his seat when you bend down to sweep up a last bit of dirt. He's completely pure in his intentions. You deserve a man with pure intentions. He tries to have pure intentions. Tries not to stare when you come in to his chambers to change the linens on his bed, though he does stare. His chin in his hand as he leans against the arm of his chair, his fingers curled over his lips in a poor approximation of your lips, watching you move around the room and go about your duties.

Pure intentions are what lead him to grab your arm as the other maids file out of the room. They're what make him tip his head and hesitate pulling you into his lap. They're what make guilt pierce his chest when he meets your inquisitive stare, what makes him release his grip before you can ask what he needs. Because pure intentions are not what makes a man, a smart man, an advisor to the king, want to crawl under a maid's skirts and make a home for himself between her legs. You do not inspire many pure feelings in Gaz.

That's not to say he only wants to marry you to satisfy those impure thoughts. No, he wants you as his wife, dreams about waking up next to you and coming home to you. He needs you to understand that it isn't just a momentary satisfying of his lust that he wants, he wants to keep you afterwards. He wants every man who passes you to know that you're his and his alone, that you're taken care of in every way he can think of.

Gaz requests you in his office just to see the way you look next to his desk, just so he can properly imagine bending you over it. He has you sit on his couch so he can better imagine how you'd look spread bare against the pillows. He holds the door closed with a firm hand over your head and stops himself from pressing his hips against your ass when he tells you, "One more thing darling, before you go" and tries to come up with some suitable reason for stopping you. It's can't be because he wanted to smell the soap on your skin, or see your lips part up close. Can't be because he thought for a brief moment that maybe he could be a brute and feel your body against his without guilt.

"If you could give me your father's name," He says instead, because it's the desperate cloying need that bubbles under his skin that makes him want to marry you.

#cod x reader #x reader #kyle garrick #kyle gaz garrick #kyle garrick x reader #gaz mw2 #gaz modern warfare #gaz cod #gaz x reader #medieval au #f!reader #x f!reader #maid!reader #advisor!gaz #kyle gaz x reader

[s0fter-sin]

prince!ghost and lord in waiting!soap

ghost is a warrior prince, next in line after king price and it’s always been accepted he would be the lone ruler; never one for entertaining the courts or indulging foreign rulers trying to consolidate their power. he hardly acts like a prince at all, in name only when he spends more time as a pseudo captain of the guard. price has never begrudged him that, not when he himself has been a lone king since his inauguration

though he’s a warrior prince, he’s never lost the favour of the people; many see him as a guardian even if he doesn’t interact with the people as much as benevolent and stalwart king price. who he does interact with is the kingdom’s children; always ready to bend a knee and listen to bright voices, to praise stick swords and shields or hear the plight of a struggling family. it was a common belief that if he wasn’t out protecting, then he was with the protected; face covered, blonde curls shining in the sun

soap’s always loved ghost. as his lord in waiting, it’s been his job to attend him since they were young and even as a child, he’d idolised him; his skills in battle, his surety. he thought his life would be nothing but service, clothing a brat prince and making sure his shoes shined. but ghost has proven more than that; he treats him as an equal, consults him on strategy and court politics and over time that idolisation turned into love

and ghost has always felt the same. he’d begrudged the idea of a lord in waiting, not wanting someone always in his business but then came this spitfire who never missed an opportunity to push back on him; to make him dig deeper. johnny is more than some mere servant; he’s his confidant, his best friend, his… everything. he could be simon with him, not prince ghost

but simon figures that out too late

king price gets word from king shepherd, a kingdom they’ve only recently stopped feuding with and he’s offering up his son, prince graves, as a way to bond their kingdoms together and firmly put war behind them. price is ready to deny him, he doesn’t fear war from shepherd, when he sends some ancient laws that leave him unable to refuse. he hates it, hates that he’s ruining ghost’s happiness and feels like he’s betraying his adopted son but there’s nothing he can do

graves comes to their kingdom within the month and it’s clear from the moment he walks through their gates that he’s the opposite of ghost; arrogant and conceited, his ceremonial armour glossy and untouched by battle. he’s dismissive of their servants, of their ways, of their people and ghost hates him

graves insists that the wedding happen as soon as possible, pushing the craftsmen and cooks beyond their limits to prepare and every moment ghost spends with him, the more he dreads his wedding day. every evening he retreats to his room, exhausted, and it’s all johnny can do to keep him afloat; trying to keep him positive as ghost falls away and simon breaks in his arms. he wants to whisk him away like the old tales, the pain his oldest friend and love is in making his heart ache but all he can do is promise to be there with him

but it seems graves wants to take even him away

“soap’s been my lord in waiting since we were children,” ghost protests, voice barely clinging to civility. “i wouldn’t want to lose such a valuable worker.”

“there are plenty of decent servants in our kingdom; you’ll forget this one soon enough,” graves waves away, carding a possessive hand over his curls and it’s only bc he’s looking for it that soap sees ghost’s jaw twitch beneath his neck gaiter. “it’s custom for one marrying into our kingdom to embrace all that it has to offer, leaving who they were behind to become someone better. you’re entering a new life with me; you don’t need the baggage of this dreary place.”

soap feels sick as he walks behind them, his blank expression hiding all sign of his breaking heart.

“soap is beholden to me,” ghost declares. “we were sworn together by the old laws. i’m afraid a custom isn’t enough for me to break a vow to the gods.”

graves lets out a disgruntled noise, tugging harshly at one of ghost’s curls with only a thin veil of fondness; his conceding smile not reaching his eyes.

“i never made a vow to the gods,” johnny points out later. “price gave me to you because he was sick of me setting fire to the kitchens.”

simon hums and sets his freshly cleaned armour aside, turning to him with a twinkle in his eyes he’s barely seen since sheperd’s missive. “you pinkie swore that you would never leave me; that’s more powerful than any promise to the gods,” he says and soap’s thrown back fifteen years, to a willow tree big enough to touch the sky; to two boys from different stations who didn’t care that one was dressed in silk and the other in scraps.

johnny feels a lightness he hasn’t in a month as simon winks at him. “besides, do you really think graves is smart enough to figure it out?”

the days pass quickly, graves’ veneer of affection growing ever thinner, and before either of them are ready, it’s the eve of ghost’s wedding.

he’s said nothing, done nothing but stare at the wedding robes graves had tailored for him in the fashion of his kingdom and johnny doesn’t know how to break the silence. he draws out each second as he fusses with the cape piece and ensures the shoes shine in the fire light until he has no more excuses.

he sighs as he straightens up, brushing off polish onto his pants. “i suppose this is where i leave you,” he says with a weak smile but it quickly dies when simon still doesn’t look at him. “i’ll be here in the morning to help you get ready… good night, simon.”

johnny bows and makes for the door, trying to convince himself he didn’t just say goodbye.

but he’s stopped by simon’s hand loosely wrapping around his wrist.

he looks back as simon finally tears his eyes away from the robes, looking at him with such clear longing it almost brings him to his knees.

“i don’t want graves to be the first man to touch me, johnny,” he confesses and johnny’s breath hitches. “i don’t want to be married to another… not when the one i’m set to wed isn’t you. but if i have to do this… please let me feel loved one final time.”

simon’s thumb brushes the back of his hand; their kingdom’s greatest warrior caressing him with a touch light as silk. he doesn’t pull johnny in, doesn’t need to; johnny’s already sinking into his touch.

desperation and love tinge every movement; johnny dancing his fingers over simon’s neck gaiter until he all too happily removes it, baring his scarred cheeks and lips. johnny kisses each one, willing his love and his touch to linger above all others as they move together; sharing breath, sharing body, sharing soul the way they wish they always have.

when ghost makes his way down the aisle, it’s not in the fine embroidered robes graves had laid out for him. he’s in his battle armour; dark and weathered, the sign of the ghost, the warrior prince, going to battle. the only thing missing is his helm, tucked under his arm.

showing his hair; curls gone and shaved tight to his skin.

a thing done only in a time of great mourning.

graves looks irate and it’s the only spark of joy ghost feels as he stops before the altar; set beneath the willow tree where johnny promised himself to him. one final insult.

ghost is silent throughout the ceremony and in spirit and in grief, so is the entire gathered kingdom until the priestess reaches the final vows and suddenly, a great roar rises above the crowd as seemingly every child in the kingdom swarms the altar.

ghost is too shocked to do anything but let them push him away from graves, bullying their way between them like they’re preparing to protect him just as he’s always protected them.

graves is furious but the children stand firm in the face of his threats until he moves to strike one-

and freezes as soap’s blade finds his throat.

“you would dare hurt these children?” he growls, sword following graves as he stumbles back. “you’ve kept up your charade the entire time and here is where you show your true colours. i think it’s time i show mine.”

graves splutters as johnny turns to the priestess and king price, falling to one knee and offering up his blade. “your grace, i wish to challenge prince graves for the hand of prince simon!”

his voice rings clear and he feels the eyes of every person in the kingdom.

but he only cares for one man.

who is watching him with more love than he’s ever felt.

“who are you to challenge me?” graves sneers. “you’re nothing more than a servant; no better than the dirt on my boots.”

johnny doesn’t bother to look at him, too caught in the love in simon’s eyes and the grateful look on king price’s face. “then you should have nothing to worry about. you’ve been crowing your accolades from the rooftops since you got here; let’s see if you live up to the hype.”

because simon only ever introduced him as his lord in waiting.

never as sir soap- his second in command and one of the greatest swordsmen their kingdom has ever seen.

#soaps challenge over rules the law shepherd wrapped price up in and hes all too happy to grant it #and of course soap wins and the kingdom gets to witness the marriage of prince simon and sir johnny #im imagining soap as full highlander in the last scene #huge mohawk with braided sides running down his back kilt great sword the works #i dont know where this came from lmao i was half asleep listening to sick of losing soulmates by dodie and it was like i was possessed #which is my favourite type of inspiration i cant lie #laswell is the priestess and gaz is prices advisor or his lord in waiting im not sure #lord in waiting is the male equivalent of lady in waiting just btw as far as i know its like a personal handmaid #i did about half a second of googling then went of existing knowledge that could very easily be wrong #coming out of my cage and ive been doing just fine.txt #we’re a team. ghost team #soapghost #ghostsoap #ghoap #john soap mactavish #soap cod #simon ghost riley #ghost cod #john price #captain price #phillip graves #fic #au #save post

[whateveriwant]

Reverse harem TF141 getting you all to themselves

18+ content, GN!Reader, Reader is the ruler of an ancient kingdom, Part 1

Soap

You're just finishing up with your last hearing when a figure shuffling at the edge of your vision catches your attention

There, peeking behind one of the columns, looking not unlike a stray kitten begging for someone to take him in, is Soap

He's been in and out of the hall all day, inching closer and closer as he's seen the line of townsfolk dwindle by the hour

Now that all your advisors and subjects have finally gone, leaving the room empty save for you and him, Soap's made his presence more obvious

He shifts back and forth on his feet, waiting for you to take notice of him, and when you silently beckon him forward with two fingers, he swiftly glides across the floor and up the dais to your throne

Carefully, he perches on one of your armrests, keeping his head tilted down. Despite his eagerness, it's like he's too embarrassed to hold eye contact with you, so he looks elsewhere, focusing on a loose thread on his tunic which he begins to pick

Yes? Did he have something he needed to speak to you about? Your prompting has him timidly raising his gaze to yours, chin still tucked in deference

He takes a moment to think and then, without a word, he carefully mounts your lap, bringing his knees on either side of your thighs

Your hands come to rest on his hips as his attention then drifts back down again, thick fingers fiddling with the intricate beads of your necklace

No, he doesn't need anything (though the prodding you feel against your lower stomach would say otherwise). He just missed you is all; wanted to spend time with you

That little pout on his face makes you sigh quietly, thumbs circling the bones of his hips in a soothing manner. You've been so busy all day – all week, really. You know you've been neglecting him (as well as the other men), and thereby neglecting your own needs

Nodding in understanding, you raise a finger to Soap's chin, tipping his head upwards until he's meeting your eye. You smile warmly as your gazes lock, eyes briefly falling to his reddened lips

Well, now it's just you and him, you promise. And he has your undivided attention

Gaz

You're just about to disrobe for your evening bath when the door to your chamber flies open

You spin on your heel to find Gaz striding in, platter of fruits and cakes held high in presentation

He hopes he's not intruding, darling, but he noticed how little you'd eaten during dinner. He wants to ensure you're being looked after, so he's brought an array of your favorite treats for you to indulge in

Though it's obvious what you were in the midst of doing, Gaz is unbothered by the fact that he's definitely intruding

He's bold in the way he stares (not to mention how he'd initially entered without asking your permission), and yet, you must admit it, you find it titillating how he doesn't look away even as your robe drops to the floor

With a flick of your chin, you encourage him forward, having him sit on the ground as you descend into the warm water

You rest your arms on the side as you let him carefully hand-feed you sweets, smiling as you watch him pop a few into his own mouth

For a while, you chat together, inquiring about each other's day. When his trousers accidentally get splashed at some point (but was it really an accident?), he figures it only makes sense for him to join you in the bath since he's wet anyway

He can't hide his grin as he stands and strips for you, positively preening as your eyes instinctively hone in on a certain part of his body. Lowering himself into the water, he comes up behind you, shameless as he presses flat against your back

Gaz begins to gently wash your hair, and your eyes flutter shut, a pleasurable groan escaping you at the feeling of his fingers massaging your scalp

As his touch gradually trails lower – down your neck, your shoulders, your spine – any vexation you might have felt towards him completely melts away

So what if he broke the rules by entering your chambers without permission? He's still new, still young, still has a lot to learn

And as his hands dip below the waterline, circling around to your front, you know you made the right decision letting him stay. After all, it'd be a shame to let such a nice bath go to waste

Price

You're scaling the last steps up to the observatory tower when you’re suddenly stopped dead in your tracks at seeing the figure that awaits you

It's Price (or, at least, you think it is) standing at the far end of the room. He's got his back turned towards you, his face angled up to the sky, letting the cool breeze flow past him as it drifts in through the wide archways

As you come closer to him, he doesn't move an inch, doesn't utter so much as a peep as your feet quietly pad against the floor

It's not until you join him by his spot on the balcony that he finally turns to acknowledge you, an affectionate smile rounding his cheeks, his eyes shining like jewels beneath the full moon’s glow

He doesn't appear to be even a little surprised to see you here. But then again, he shouldn't. He knows how much you love to watch the stars on clear nights like this

You're up late, you muse aloud. Normally, he's long been settled in bed by now in the men's quarters. That is, when he's not joining you in yours, of course

Price lets out a light chuckle at the observation. Yes, he knows you should both be asleep at this hour, but he couldn't help it. It's just such a beautiful night tonight. Wouldn't you agree?

Care to join him? He gestures to the pillows and throws lining the long bench before you

Does he even need to ask? The remark goes unsaid as you offer him a nod, lowering onto the plush seating alongside him

You sit together for a while, a comfortable silence passing between you as you both watch the sky. It could be hours, though it's more likely minutes, before you sense him turning to face you, eyes scanning your figure

Has he ever told you how enchanting you look under the moon, starlight? No? Well, he's a fool for not having mentioned it sooner

Steadily, he scoots closer until his knee is touching yours, hand reaching over to softly play with your fingers

Pray tell, have you ever made love under a full moon before? He traces your palm as waits for your response. No? Well… would you like to?

Ghost

You're in the stables brushing through the mane of your prized mare when a noise from behind startles you

You turn to look for the source and who should emerge from the shadows than none other than the palace ghost himself

His face is as emotionless as ever, his totally blank expression not betraying the thoughts in his head. And yet, as he draws near to you, shoulders held high and wide, there's a certain air about him that speaks to anything but apathy

Fancy seeing you here, Ghost's voice is taunting, almost sarcastic, as he saunters closer. He had no idea you were here as well. What a coincidence

The mirth tingeing his tone has you peeking over at him, arching a brow in question. But he doesn't notice (or if he does, he gives no indication) as he comes to a stop right beside you

He gives the mare you're tending to a few clunky pats on the rump, like it's not a common action for him to perform

What's he doing here, you ask. Well, he's just come to say hello to his favorite horse, Jupiter, of course. Why else?

Juniper, right. Yes, that's what he meant to say, obviously

Though he tries to play it off, you can almost feel the chagrin emanating from him, a tick forming in his jaw. But he doesn't let it deter him as he then asks whether you were you meaning to go for a ride, his eyes still focused on the animal which he continues to caress

You are? Where to? The cove at the edge of town? Oh, it's quite nice there. Peaceful. Solitary.

Ghost still doesn't meet your eye as he shifts his weight side to side, almost as if nervous. Would you mind if he tagged along with you? He could use some fresh air after being cooped up inside all day

The tentativeness with which he asks it has you smiling to yourself, biting the inside of your cheeks. And as you turn to face him fully, seeing him quick to mirror your movements, it only makes your smile grow that much wider

Of course he can join you, you concede jovially. Just give you a moment to fetch a second saddle

Oh, but there's no need, he assures you, stopping you with a hand on the wrist. He's smirking as you swivel back to face him. He prefers going bareback anyway

#simon riley x reader #simon ghost riley x reader #ghost x reader #john mactavish x reader #john soap mactavish x reader #soap x reader #kyle garrick x reader #kyle gaz garrick x reader #gaz x reader #john price x reader #captain john price x reader #captain price x reader #simon riley #john mactavish #kyle garrick #john price #tf 141 x reader #task force 141 x reader #task force 141 #cod x reader #call of duty x reader #cod mw2 #call of duty #modern warfare 2

[honeypipin]

Everyone's Favourite Banker!

You get to grips with 141 and others this time! (no, not in that way)

Mafia!Price who invites you to one of his company galas! He even payed for your outfit, and he knew what size you were! how?

When you finally show up to the gala in your newly bought attire, Mafia!Price comes over to greet you with the biggest smile on his face. He is just so smug that you are wearing the outfit he chose for you, and you look damn good in it.

Mafia!Price who introduces you to his associates with a respectful, firm grip on your waist, and well, you've had him as a client for ages, this is just him being friendly, right?

And boy do his associates love you.

Mafia!Laswell and her wife are so sweet to you, they even let you know there's a table with appetizers and more drinks at the end of the hall, well, now you know exactly where you're planning to go.

Mafia!Soap who laughs with you over the champagne and is so convincing when he asks you to become the mafia!141's personal financial advisor, I mean look at that smile, so charming! You can't help but swoon over handsome scotsman (and he could say the same about you).

Mafia!Gaz catches you at the appetizer table, where you both chat about jobs only to learn that He, Price, Soap and Ghost all work as a corporation? He's also very happy to find out that you have been advising Price and Ghost, he was just in need of a new financial advisor, especially since the old one had...disappeared. And this new one was pretty cute too...

Mafia!Nikolai who comes over to talk to gaz but quickly shifts his focus when he sees you, introducing himself and sounding out the name you told him, apparently, he liked it. Would be a nice name to sound out in bed too, but he wasn't just going to tell you that here, you deserved somewhere better, and somewhere not as public. Maybe the private booth of a restaurant?

Mafia!Ghost who you find a while later in a private room that you just happened to wander into, well you did need a place to fix your shoes and clothes, and the bathroom was no where to be found, this wasn't what you planned, you swear! The other men that Ghost are talking to seem quite happy with your surprise visit, Mafia!Rudy asks you to join the conversation, much to Mafia!Alejandro's delight and Ghost's annoyance. The two men are also quite interested in your position, and have started asking for your contact details, wow! Price was right, this party was worth it, such great networking. The two men are happy to receive your details, but a certain mancunian can't help but glare. Fucking brilliant, more competition for you.

You return to the ballroom where Price is happy to see you back at his table, and hooray, the main courses are just coming out! Lucky you, you were getting hungry.

After a night of eating, talking, dancing and the feeling of being stared at, Price kindly offers to drive you home, and to be fair, you may have had a bit too much champagne for the food you were eating. But your car! It's ok, Price lets you know he'll drop you off tomorrow to get it too, what a gentleman. He carries you to your house the second you stumble out of his car, elliciting some drunken giggles from you, which he just loves the sound of.

He watches you let yourself into your house and wave him a toothy-grinned good bye, now he does chuckle at it, but he also wishes that you invited him in. He saw the way you looked at him tonight, but you were just too good of a financialist, savy and professional, you wouldn't just let yourself drunkenly confess to him. He did respect you for it though.

Once he drives away, you charge for your bedroom, throwing your dress on your chair, dirty clothes in the wash, pyjamas on and collapse into bed. God, what a long day, you already knew you were going to sleep in tomorrow morning.

#price modern warfare #john price #captain price #john soap mactavish #soap cod #ghost mw2 #simon ghost riley #kyle gaz garrick #gaz garrick #kate laswell #laswell cod #rudy parra #rudy cod #alejandro vargas #alejandro cod #cod nikolai #tf 141 #cod 141 #141 x reader #banker!reader

[alwaysshallow]

coffee at midnight, part 7

John "Soap" MacTavish x f!reader

You try the whole "dating" thing. Soap doesn't quite like that, and it shows. (4,4k)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

READ ON AO3

If you'd known how much of a fuss it would be, you wouldn't even tell him. Hell, you wouldn't even think about telling him, you'd just describe it as a simple meeting with an old friend, and he'd know everything afterwards.

Now, you felt like you were seventeen again, trying to explain yourself right in front of your mom when you did something that she didn't like.

The only difference was, Soap acted like your mom, proudly taking her place in scolding you.

"'s like a free invitation for an axe murderer to come and get ya. Bonnie, thought yer gonna be smarter than this." He looked at you, his eyebrows furrowed. You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to see how conflicted he was with you going out without him.

Well, maybe it was also the fact that you were going on a date; an unexpected one, but you couldn't really say no, when your best friend played as your wingman.

And, what could shock the most, the wingman wasn't Soap, but Gaz that got into the conclusion you needed something like this; after your injury, but also in general since he hasn't seen you in ages on date with someone. Truth, harsh but still truth, got into you, so you've decided he's completely right. You needed this, a fresh air in the whole situation.

Which was funnier, that date was with Cody. Cody, who got your fake number from Johnny just because he didn't like him and he gave off weird vibes and you deserved better. You felt bad for a moment considering it was a fucking helpline, but it was too late to do anything with it. What's more to it, you really didn't want to tell him that your idiotic best friend decided to joke, thinking it would be funny.

That guilt was until Garrick proudly admitted that he gave him your number because it felt right. Because Cody asked about you since he saw you with them, and after a quick "interrogation", he felt like a proud wingman to allow him to take a shot on you.

Pretty funny choice of words, but all in all, you knew what Gaz was thinking about. You've babbled with him about it for almost two hours straight, drinking wine, while Soap just listened, throwing his snarky remarks from time to time. He looked like a kid that got his candy stolen from him, and while you didn't really like that kind of behavior, it was kind of funny to see him like this.

Such a contrast to his usually playful nature, especially in something stupid; you were just getting ready for the date. Nothing too scandalous, nothing too fancy, and nothing too deep, but the last thing you kept to yourself, just to get him riled up.

"Axe murderer that I know, Soap," you groaned, when he stood in your way, clearly not wanting you to go any further. Or to at least think what you were doing, which was funny enough, given you were a grown up woman. Not his sister that he needed to protect because she's not mature enough to think for herself, his best friend that knew exactly what she's doing.

At least, she pretended like she knew it. He was so stern that even when you gave him a look, full of politeness, he wasn't impressed.

"You just met him after years," he emphasized the last word. "He could be so much different than the last time you've seen him, 'st sayin'. Yer too good to people, always been."

You sighed, a little defeated; there was nothing you could say that would convince him enough to Cody. "Yet, Kyle thinks he's pretty good for going out."

Soap laughed at your words, shaking his head with disbelief. His previously royal, blue eyes, were nothing like before; they were a bit... colder, if it was even possible. "And since when Kyle is your love advisor?" He raised his eyebrow, his arms crossed at his chest. It felt pretty defensive, even for him.

And, you would lie if you'd tell that you didn't like that, even if it was weird for you, to see him care about something like this. It was heartwarming; like he didn't actually want you to see that guy, to see him adding his statement.

But, of course, you couldn't admit that. It would only make his ego burst, and it was the last thing that he needed to know.

Besides, it would only make things more complicated.

"And like, it's..."

"Why do you care anyway?" you interrupted him; he opened his mouth for a moment, to close it right away, like your words actually hit him. "Genuinely. It's just a date."

Soap rolled his eyes, playing with his fingers – when you only glanced at them, he swiftly hid them behind his back. Like he wanted to keep them away from you, like you would say something about it. It was weird, but you didn't pay much attention to it back then.

"Carin' about you. 's all." He shrugged, looking carefully at you, when you put your shoes on. "'st... be careful, aye? 'm gonna kill this lad if he's..."

"...Johnny." You sent him a look; your hand instinctively covered his for a moment. "It's all gonna be alright. I'm not like, going to a mission where I'm gonna get another injury" you joked. He didn't take it quite well, considering that he gave you a scolding look.

"Mhm." Soap grumbled, helping you as you moved on to your coat. "Text me if you'll need anythin', bonnie. I mean it. Yer arm good?"

"Good, thank you. I'm gonna remember." You smiled softly, nudging him for goodbye, indicating that he could step down from his protective role. Cody was supposed to pick you up, so there was absolutely nothing for him left to do.

Well, at least you thought this way. His thoughts were a little different, as you saw the moment he escorted you to the exit of your apartment building, leaning against the door, as you were getting into your date's car. Cody even waved to him, but all Johnny did was a slight nod, like he was acknowledging him.

Small win, but a win anyway, you thought.

"Hope he's not your hidden boyfriend or something?" Your old friend looked at you for a second, before taking a turn to the left. "Like, he seems pretty... tense, when he sees me. Like he's protecting something."

You needed a few seconds to process what Cody was implying; and when you understood, you couldn't help but laugh and with disbelief. "No, he's completely harmless. Seriously, it's just... maybe he doesn't take strangers well, you know."

"Does he give strangers a distress hotline number instead of yours, or is it just me?" he grinned, and even then, you could hear the question in his tone, which made you gulp a little. 

Well, if you’d think this way...

"Well. Johnny is... he's..."

Best friend. He's your best friend.

Why couldn't it leave your mouth?

"He's my... Johnny." You eventually said, looking at him. "He's like that, you'd understand after some time. But he's not my hidden boyfriend or something."

"Note taken. Would be awkward, if I'd taken you on a date and didn't know that." He laughed, shaking his head. "He'd probably kill me, huh?"

You laughed at this too, instead of telling him how Soap was already not pleased with you going out with him, and he was only your... best friend, technically. Heaven only knew what would happen if you'd want to meet Cody if you were in a relationship with him.

It was the possessiveness speaking. If anyone wanted to know something about MacTavish, he was possessive about his things. Obsessively so; it was cute when he clutched the Subway's sandwich to his chest from Ghost, when his friend wanted to take a bite. You, of course, had permission to take it (just a little bite since you were a girl), but no one else could. He cared about his things, he didn't let anyone touch his stuff if it had a sentimental matter to him.

The funny thing about it, he was possessive about people too, which sometimes irritated you to the core; he could have multiple friends and all, but you? Oh, he was interrogating the shit out of them, giving you the side eye if they managed to plan something with you before he did. He felt like he came before anyone, no matter what.

Not to mention, he was only like this about guy friends. Like a dog with a bone that's too precious to give to others. Funny thing is, they didn't even flirt with you, and he was acting like they were stealing you from him.

So, it wasn't really surprising when he didn't want to let you go out with Cody, especially that he somehow knew that you two had a history. You were thankful enough he didn't make a scene right in front of him because that would be humiliating.

Especially when your date seemed to be so nice. Not only did he open the car door for you, but also the restaurant's one, and you couldn't help but smile at that little gesture, nodding to him as a silent thank you. What was even better, you loved the place he chose for tonight.

Your old friend had to remember your taste, considering that the Italian restaurant was probably the prettiest building you've seen in a while. A lot of warm lamps around, climatic music that got your attention right when you walked into the room, greeted by an older waiter with a mustache; everything screamed Italy here, and you were taking in the view with pleasure.

"You like it so far?" Cody looked up at you from the menu; his bright, green eyes sparkled with curiosity in dim light. You suddenly felt bad, since you appreciated the effort more than you've probably let him know.

So, you nodded quickly, your painted nails clicking against the table. "Reminds me of this one restaurant back at home. You know, where we went with Stacy and others?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I remember." He laughed, shaking his head "I remember how Stacy spilled expensive wine on your shirt. Before meeting with your moms, you were pretty pissed back then."

You opened your eyes a little wider at this memory, suddenly remembering it; yeah, Stacy did something like that. What was also important to mention, you were right before an important dinner with your moms and their friends (Price involved), and the tragedy was huge back then. "So, you do remember things, huh?"

"Most of them," he admitted, tilting his head to the side with that boyish charm that he always had. It was something you couldn't really take away from him. "If something is worth remembering, I remember. Mostly situations with you."

It would be a lie if you'd say that dinner didn't go smoothly – because it did. Perfectly, even, knowing how much of a gentleman Cody was, how swiftly he balanced between topics, trying to entertain you. Trying to at least get a glimpse of your life that he didn't get to know since you left your hometown after being deployed and you cut ties with most of your friends. It was something that you liked, something that you adored, knowing he once was interested in you, and you were in him, when you were at high school.

Key words: high school.

As much as you liked him now, you knew it wouldn't work the moment waiter brought your food, and you awkwardly smiled to him, when he bon apetite'd you. Even if he tried to be smug, conversation wasn't effortless like you wanted it to be, you didn't like the way he asked you about your work, implying how it was men's work. Maybe it wasn't evident at first sight, but comments about you ruining your nails and your struggle as the only woman, and everything like that, irritated you.

Maybe it was you being hypersensitive, but you didn't really enjoy comments like this, no matter who it would be.

The chemistry between you two wasn't sparkling as well, and as much as you kept yourself from admitting it, you couldn't brush off a feeling that you would enjoy time with Johnny better. Hell, you were sure that your Scot would make those few hours a lot better. Movies, cooking together, even visiting the gym together... anything.

You felt bad for the thought, when Cody was so nice overall – yet, not nice in a way that would interest you.

"Is that your friend?" You heard him, which brought you back to Earth; he frowned, as he looked behind you. You were sitting right by the window, so he had a pretty clear view on the street.

"Friend?" You raised your eyebrow, amused.

"From earlier on."

You turned around, to see if your date was right; you doubted, really doubted that Cody would see Soap. Your friend was anything but someone that would disturb your date. "I really don't think Johnny..."

Well, Johnny indeed was here, and the thought of him not interrupting your date was completely crushed. You had to give him credit, though; he wasn't that recognizable, you didn't catch him right in the moment. He was in his dark sunglasses and brown cap; if the situation would've been different, you could laugh at how ridiculously similar he looked to all the Marvel characters when they had to hide.

Back then, you balanced on the line between being amused and furious that he didn't respect your time enough with someone else.

Having fun, Johnny?

As you observed him, you saw how quickly he looked around; for a brief moment, you felt like his gaze was on you, and it only confirmed itself when he started typing in his phone again.

dinnae ken what yer talkin about.

"I guess he's just here." You shrugged, lying to him swiftly. "It's the center of the town, yeah? Things... happens."

Cody chuckled, playing with his fork. "Yeah. Yeah. Maybe he is. As long as he doesn't disturb our date, right? It's too nice."

You're a menace to the society, MacTavish; you swiftly typed out under the table. "Yeah. It's too nice." you agreed, even if you thought how interesting it got only because your best friend was outside.

and yer mean: (

You had to hold back a laugh when you've read it; so, you put your phone down and came back to talking with Cody, eating and drinking that delicious wine; you knew you had to buy a bottle after this little adventure. Maybe they didn't sell it, but you were willing to try as soon as the waiter would come with the bill.

It was a personal win for you to come out twenty minutes later out of this restaurant with a bottle in your hand, laughing to your date about something convincing enough to sell it to you. You had to speak with two managers, but it was yours after all, ready to go home with you.

Soap was ready too, even if he acted like he wasn't here; you turned down Cody's proposition of taking you home just to call your best friend to ask where he is exactly, since he disappeared from that bench before you knew it.

"Over the date already? Had to suck, eh?" His eyebrow arched, as he wrapped his arm around your waist. "Sad. But yer sure that lad ain't for you."

"You know," you started, as you grabbed his glasses, just to wear it yourself "if you wouldn't be such a stalker, I'd let you drink wine with me at home. But, now, I have doubts about it."

"Stalker? C'mon. A simple coincidence, that is," he chuckled, as you two walked into his car. "Not my fault you'd rather have me on this date, not him. Can't really blame ya, hen."

You could feel how your face heated up in the moment; maybe if his statement wasn't true, you'd react differently, maybe you would think of a snarky comment. Back then, when you felt exactly like he said, well... It was hard enough.

He seemed to catch the hesitant look at your face, considering how smiley he got. "Oh? Got ye real good, if yer blushin'—"

"—you imagine too much, Johnny, " you mumbled out, as you got more comfortable in your seat, ready to go. "Let's go home, yeah?"

"'st sayin', bonnie. I could have a better date, even at home."

You didn't say anything about his reply. Not because it wasn't true (because it was), not because you were at a loss of words, but because you were conflicted about him and you having a date, when you two were friends. Was he honest, or playing like he always did?

It was just easier to think of it as just banter, ignore it, than actually take him seriously; because if you did and he would have to explain it to you it was just a joke... You were pretty sure that death of embarrassment was gonna happen, honestly. John was too important to you, friendship with him was too important to you to experiment with things like that.

Besides, it wasn't like you two would fit, right? There was a difference between being friends and someone that you could date. Your best friend was great, but as a lover? You didn't know this side of him, you could only guess.

When you finally arrived, you automatically left the car with your head in the clouds. Maybe that's why you haven't even noticed that your best friend was on the other side, trying to open the door for you; and that end up badly, considering that you've hit him with the door.

Low "fuck" snapped you from your thoughts, as well as him holding his nose; you immediately approached him, your expression bashful.

"I'm so sorry, Soap, I—"

"—S'alright." He shook his head, smiling at you like it was nothing. "I've been worse, you know. 'Suppose I deserved that." He nudged you, laughing when you rolled your eyes.

"It wasn't intentional," you groaned, grabbing his arm to start walking with him. "Come on, I'm gonna check it. Just in case."

"Apartment first, ma'am."

So, as soon as you were in the apartment with him, you had to check if nothing was broken – and even if it sounded like a wild thought, breaking a nose in close contact with the car's door, literally everything was possible with Soap, so it was better to be safe than sorry. Wouldn't be the first time that you did something to him without intention of doing it.

Once, when he pretended to be a burglar (he thought it would be funny this way) and he grabbed you from behind in your apartment, you hit him with a flower pot. You laughed afterwards, but you were pretty mad at him in the first ten minutes, trying to find something with ice that would help his headache.

After you checked everything, he seemed to be good. At least, excluding the moment where he thought it would be funny to whine and make you worry, which you smacked him for, but that was just his idiotic side speaking.

This incident though was definitely a lighter one. You've found yourself cleaning his shirt with soap and cold water, since he had a few drops of blood on it, and somehow you felt responsible there wouldn't be any stain left. Soap kept you company even then, shirtless, leaning against the doorframe to have a joke or two about how well you are cleaning blood, suggesting that you have "close connections" with underground fighters.

A simple answer would be period, but you didn't feel like going into that kind of conversation, so you just agreed, telling him he has to book you for the next cleaning. His laugh was everything.

Quickly after this, you were off to sleep, tired with the events of the day; you really needed a good rest, where you'd wrap yourself in the sheets, a warm nest around you. Calm environment, nothing to worry about since you were on leave, and your best friend was in your apartment too, it was the sense of safety here.

Except, your nightmares had a bit different plans than you had.

Ruthless, like they needed to remind themselves, and the worst thing about it was: you lived through every one of them. It wasn't something of your imagination, monsters and creatures that had no place in the real world, no – the realness of it all was scary. The memories you had from missions blended perfectly with events that didn't happen, causing you to have a heart-attack experience.

Nightmares about your team were the worst; where everyone was killed. Where you couldn't do anything but scream; this time, you watched their execution, as every one of your boys were killed right in front of you. Gun wounds, humiliation, where killers wanted them to beg for their life, when they cut the fingers of your comrades just to shoot them afterwards.

And you had to watch all of it, teary-eyed, just begging to stop all this madness.

The worst moment was when royal blue eyes looked right into yours, terrified, with a silent plea in them, hoping that you're gonna be the one to save his life; and the worst thing was, you knew you're gonna fail him. You knew there was nothing you could do to prevent the bloodshed, not when your body refused to move, not when you couldn't even move your finger, nor legs to defend them.

To defend him.

You remembered screaming, when the hope died in his eyes; silent, maybe meaningless words from your side that you're gonna fix all of this, no matter what. How you were the only one alive, and it felt worse than being dead with all of them.

And then, you woke up.

Your breath rapid, shuddery, you had no control over it, as well as you had no control over tears streaming down your face, without you acknowledging the fact of them. The only element that you saw? A pair of blues, looking at you with horror.

Owner of them shook you gently, trying to get you out of the trance you were in; after a minute you were pretty sure that he was talking, but you couldn't really recall what.

You had other things in mind.

"You're alive," you said, breathing out; he seemed shocked at least with your statement, but as he held your hands in his, he nodded quickly.

"Yeah. Yeah, 'm alive. Always will," he whispered. For a moment, the two of you were just looking at each other in silence and breathing. He took as it personal job to ease your nerves, and you could say that he really succeeded at it – the feeling like someone ripped your heart from your chest, slowly but surely vanished. "Better?"

"A bit," you murmured, sighing. You felt kind of bad, even if it wasn't your fault entirely. "I woke you up. I'm so sorry Johnny, I don't even—"

"—sssh. None of that right now, lassie, 'salright." He shook his head, leaning even more in your direction. "Come on. Give me a bosie."

"A bosie?" you chuckled, wiping away your tears. "It's a... hug, or...?"

"It's a hug, aye," he laughed too, wrapping his arms around you tightly – he knew how you liked to be hugged, he knew what you needed back then.

Soap hid his face in your hair, as he caressed your spine softly. He whispered a lot of words back then; soothing ones, encouraging, sweet nothings that made your heart go. How you weren't alone in all of this, how you could always count on him, how he was always gonna be here, no matter what was gonna happen.

All of this, in his arms, slightly rocked back and forth by him, seemed like the sweetest promise ever made, when you listened to his heart, slowly coming back to normal, just like your breath did not long ago. You two had magical influence on each other, you knew, but seeing it in action had you on a chokehold.

If this would be possible, you'd never leave this hug. You were more than happy to stay there with your eyes closed, your arms tightly around him, chin on top of his arm, where you could just smell his scent that somehow calmed you even more.

"'m gonna bring you a glass of water. Then, you're gonna go to sleep, all right?"

You couldn't care less about a glass of water, when you had all you needed in one person.

“Can you... stay?" you asked, slowly, when he started getting out of your bed. Somehow, you felt out of place asking that, but you needed to do this, even if it could seem outward weird to him.

You saw how he froze for a moment, before sitting in your bed again. "Of course."

This wasn't the first time; you once comforted him in bed, you slept next to him on missions just to keep both of you warm, but that was definitely the first time when both of you felt... more intimate. Like it was a change in the air, and after all it was your bed, in your apartment, and you wanted him to be next to you because he brought you comfort.

And because, somehow, it felt like he belonged here.

He spooned you from behind – one of his arms going under your head, so you could easily use it as a pillow if you'd only want, the other around your waist, like he was personally protecting you from anything that could happen to you. His body heat hit you the moment you snuggled more under the sheets. Soap was like a personal heater, ready to do anything to keep you warm.

You were in heaven.

"This will do?" he asked, his voice low. "Is it good for you, lassie?"

"...yeah." You smiled under your nose, when he ruffled your hair with the tips of his fingers, when you laid your head on his arm. "Good."

"Mhm. Sleep now, I'm gonna be here, if you need me." He kissed the back of your head, and from that gesture alone, you just knew for a fact that he was smiling too. "You know I love you, right?"

"I know. Love you too."

And for the first time, it felt a bit different from "I love you" than usual.

#soap x reader #soap x you #johnny mactavish x reader #johnny mactavish x you #x reader #cod x reader #soap mactavish x reader #soap mactavish #john soap mactavish #soap fluff #soap fanfic #friends to lovers #soap cod #soap call of duty #john mactavish

[obsolescent]

This Side of Paradise - Part One

Part Two

Pairing: Kyle 'Gaz' Garrick x GN!Reader

Summary: Kyle and you are roommates–flatmates–while you study abroad in the UK. He’s usually gone due to his work and it doesn’t bother you, at first. You like being alone and like little company, but you start to feel an odd pang after a traumatic event happens that causes him to come back from base early. 

Category/Prompt: Two-part series | "I'll take care of you."

Author's Notes: Ahhh I'm so excited to be participating in @glitterypirateduck's GazFest! I've been meaning to finish this and this has given me that push. This is also the first event I've participated in on Tumblr. I hope you enjoy!

Content Warnings: Swearing, mentions of a fire but not very descriptive, reader is from the southern US, reader is more introverted, Kyle is worried for your wellbeing.

Word Count: 1,267

Another night studying, another night alone. You don’t mind, being more on the reclusive side. You really don’t mind having to interact with others, you just prefer not to. Speaking of which, you quite enjoy having a roommate–flatmate, as he would say–that’s hardly home. He doesn’t correct you in a rude way, more like he’s trying to teach you to use more of the dialect here. He’s gone for months at a time every once in a while, typically it’s just a few weeks, then he’s back for a month and the cycle repeats. It has to do with the military, but that’s all he would say about his line of work. You have a part time job at a gas–petrol, he would correct you again–station. The cultural difference between home and here is a lot more than you were expecting, having been in America your whole life to suddenly being “across the pond.”

Though the interactions you have with people here are very amusing, the double takes when people hear you at work has you “hooting and hollering”, so to speak. Most ask for you to keep talking, interested in your accent. It’s led to a few good conversations, if you’re being honest. There’s a handful of some, though, who’ve heard you speak and think you’re dumber than a bag of rocks and let you know so. Those aren’t as amusing. Regardless, it’s been a pleasant experience overall while staying in the UK, especially with the one you’re rooming with.

Meeting Kyle was by chance. He had listed his…flat, on a website that helps students around the world find accommodation close to colleges and universities. You had seen in the listing that he wasn’t home often, and being more of an introvert, that seemed like the best option for you. You had reached out and agreed on a time to chat. He was more than what you were expecting in every which way. Charismatic, kind, funny, and definitely including looks. He’s a sight for sore eyes, that’s for sure. You’re glad he’s away for the most part, having someone around looking like that would surely be a distraction for you.

After that first initial conversation with Kyle, you were sure he would be the one you would be living with while studying abroad. After getting everything sorted out, between speaking with your advisor and obtaining a passport, you were set to fly out. Kyle practically demanded he pick you up and take you to your shared quarters, since the airport was quite a drive away from the apartment. He also mentioned wanting to show you around some. Ever the gentleman. Thankful for his offer at being a free tour guide, you take him up on the offer. You were glad to have met someone willing to help out and be so generous towards you, it was in his nature and you knew just by his interactions with you that he did this for everyone that came into his life.

Back to the present, it’s a Tuesday night, and there’s not much going on for you. After leaving work, you came home and made a quick dinner for yourself and settled down on the couch for a study session. You slide your earbuds in, unable to focus if it’s an actual song, and listen to sounds of nature, rain and the like. Hours have passed since you’ve immersed in your college work, sounds blaring through the speakers in your ears. You don’t realize the fire alarm has started blaring.

What finally gets you to notice is the sudden phone call that cuts the sounds out, a call from Kyle. He must’ve received an alert. “Hey–woah–I just noticed that–” “Bloody Hell! Are you still in the flat? Get outside! Christ!” You don’t even think, your brain going into panic mode, you snatch your shoes from beside the door and run for the stairs. You’re on the fifth floor, happy that you can see so much of the city, but not so happy in the event of a fire, like now. You’re not sure where the fire is located, you’re just hoping it won’t prevent you from reaching the exit. ‘What the hell would I even do if it is? Don’t think like that, just keep running, just keep going don’t think about it–’

“Are you there, love? You alright? Please say something–” Kyle’s frantic voice finally breaks through your internal monologue, earbuds still secured in your ears. “S-sorry, Kyle, I was just…I’m on my way down, I’m on the third floor now.” Your feet carrying you faster than you’ve ever ran before, you’re not seeing anyone else on the stairs…God, how long has the alarm been going off? What about the sprinkler system, why hasn’t it turned on already?’ “Thank God, it’ll be alright, just take some deep breaths and keep pushing, yeah? You’ll be outside before you know it. I’m right here with you.” His reassurance is welcomed, taking his advice, you begin some breathing exercises the best you can while scurrying down the flights of stairs.

Second floor, almost there. You feel like you’re flying down the steps, everything numb. You round the corner, about to hit the top step of the next flight when you see it. Fuck, that’s smoke. “K-Kyle, the fire, it’s on the second floor.” You begin to cough, covering your nose and mouth with your sleeve. “Fucking hell. Go back up to the previous floor. The hallway windows should have an external fire escape. Try those, yeah?” You nod your head even though he cannot see, trying to breathe like he told you to. You push the door open into the third floor’s hallway, the window to your right just a few feet away. You rush to it, having to yank on the window a few times before it pries open.

It’s one of those ladders that retracts, the end of it about 20 feet from the ground without the extension. You try releasing the mechanism that will release the other part to extend fully, but it won’t budge. You toss your shoes to the ground below, beginning to brace yourself to drop the rest of the way. “Did you get it?” You hear him ask, shuffling coming from his side of the call. “Y-yeah I got it, the ladder won’t extend all the way, fall’s maybe 20 feet.” “You can do it, love, just tuck your chin and lower your head when you drop. May be bruised and cut up some, but you’ll be alright, you can do it.” You get to the last rung, letting yourself dangle for a moment before taking the leap, literally. You take a deep breath and let go.

You hit the ground with an explosion of pain in your left arm. Letting out a cry of pain you hold onto your arm, moving other limbs in different directions to check their conditions. Kyle yells your name, “Hey! I need you to answer me, are you alright? What’s wrong?” Kyle cuts through the fuzziness in your brain. “F-Fuck. My arm, I think I broke it.” You begin to stand on shaky legs, testing the rest of your endurance. You falter and collapse to the ground, absolutely exhausted. The adrenaline must have worn off now that you’re no longer in immediate danger.

You lay your head back against the concrete, staring up at the night sky. The moon is bright and beautiful, hanging low. It’s the last thing you see before you slip into unconsciousness, Kyle calling your name over and over again lost to oblivion.

Tags: @sofasoap, since you tag me in your Gaz fics!

#gazfest #o fics #gaz my beloved #gaz x reader #gaz x you #gaz x gn!reader #call of duty x reader #gaz call of duty #kyle gaz garrick x reader #kyle gaz garrick x gn!reader #call of duty x you #call of duty #gaz mw2 #gaz cod #kyle garrick #kyle garrick x you #kyle garrick x reader #kyle garrick x gn!reader

[perpetualmildillness]

Ghostsoap but make it Skyrim! I've seen someone else's ideas about this, but I wanted to put in my own two cents. Brainworms under the cut.

Soap is an orc, first son of the cheif of their strongholds. He... Uh. Doesn't do what's typical, and goes adventuring instead of fighting his dad to death for the name of chief. And does mercenary work instead! Either he learns destruction magic on the road, or he learns it from one of his dads wives, this detail is yet to be smoothed out, but either way, Soap needs his explosions in all AUs.

Ghost is a Nord. He is a big blond nord from Dawnstar, and he joined the Imperial army specifically to piss off his Stormcloak dad. He gets captured by the Thalmor and gets tOuRTuReD (yay trauma) and decided to quit the army after escaping the high elves. He travels around, doing odd jobs, like assassinations, for cheap. He is NOT. I REPRAT NOT PART OF THR DARK BROTHERHOOD, but he will take up jobs for them too, if one job requires a more snipery touch. Much like Soap, he maintains the sniper/sneak archer skill set from CoDMW2.

Price is a Jarl, and in the running for High King. He doesn't have his bucket hat in this AU, but he gets a crown, and they are basically the same thing. I think he would replace Bulgruuf if I made a whole fic of this, but, it is yet to be determined. Price met Ghost before he got super mega traumatised, when he wasn't even a proper soldier yet, and he was running let's to and from cities. After the whole Thalmor thing, they hung out a lot more, Ghost even acting as an advisor of sorts for a while. Price met Soap through Gaz. They have been friendly, Price going so far as to hire Soap a couple times to sort out nearby ruins and deal with problems that are a little out of the Companion's depth.

Gaz is Price's housecarl. He does a great job of making sure Price goes to bed at a semi-reasonable hour, because Price would work himself to the bone if he could. Gaz is the eldest son of silversmiths from Markarth, and so he appreciates a piece of jewellery or two. Gaz met Soap in Markarth, on one of his week long vacations to visit family, and they got on like a house on fire. I'm tempted to make Gaz an Imperial. SO I WILL!

#ghostsoap #john soap mactavish #simon ghost riley #kyle gaz garrick #john price #skyrim #skyrim au

[starlight-shades]

Ghoap College AU

Soap, who loves to read paranormal romance is convinced that his classmate, Ghost, is a vampire.

He only ever sees him when he's covered head to toe during the day. At night, Ghost works at a convenience store where Soap goes all the time to get late night study aids (energy drinks and candy bars). That's the only time he ever sees any skin from Ghost (who switches from a balaclava to a medical face mask when he's working per his boss's request).

Soap is always snacking, but he never sees Ghost eating, and after they've been friends for a bit, Ghost will drink around him, but it's usually from his own cup that has a straw to sip from under his mask.

The class they have together is taught by Price, and it's a gen ed that Ghost put off to his senior year (Soap is like a sophomore/junior).

Eventually Soap gets close enough to Ghost that he starts lifting his mask a bit so Soap's like "I'll keep your secret for you ;)" and Ghost is like ok??? bc he has no idea what Soap is talking about, but just let's him keep thinking whatever's in his head bc it's kinda funny.

They do get together, and when they're having sex, Soap tells Ghost he can bite him, and once again Ghost is like ok??? and just assumes it's a kink Soap has.

Soap does eventually learn that Ghost is not, in fact, a vampire, he's just a regular guy with sensory sensitivities. This conversation happens in front of their friends who then proceed to make fun of Soap (it eventually becomes a recurring joke that Soap thinks everyone is some kind of paranormal creature).

Additional notes:

Laswell is their academic advisor or maybe the chair of their department

Alejandro and Valeria are academic rivals fighting for the top spot in their department (they're both going for a very competitive grad school program)

Gaz is on the football (or soccer depending on where they're going to school) team with Soap.

He and Price have a will they/won't they thing that everyone has bets on (Price doesn't want to jeopardize Gaz's academic career, Gaz is like "We're not even in the same department???")

I may eventually write this once I'm further in with Called Home.

I got this idea thinking about the aesthetics of Soap and Ghost sitting on a curb at night lit by the neon lights from the convenience store.

#soapghost #fic #my writing #soap #ghost #college au #tf 141 #los vaqueros

[martuzzio]

Medieval 141 AU Ideas

This is a huge work in progress but here's the ideas I have for this so far! Feel free to send me an ask if you have any thoughts or ideas of your own :D

I made a tag for this AU so it's easier to follow everything

In general, there's some sort of war brewing (with who? No idea) because you can't have a Medieval knight AU without some sort of impending doom. Ghost and Soap start as enemies and eventually fall in love

Soap: Head Knight (aka Captain) of the King’s Guard, the youngest knight ever to hold the position. Dreamed of being a knight as a child. He lives in the castle with the rest of the Guard and hangs out with Roach and Gaz when he can, which is less and less now with the war approaching. His horse Brèagha ("Beautiful") absolutely gets way too many carrots and sugar cubes from him

Ghost: Infamous mercenary with a long list of kills. He was paid to assassinate Soap to cripple Price's operation and kickstart the war but Soap's charm wins him over instead. I don't know what his horse is named but it's either something endearing (like "Sweetheart") or incredibly stupid (like "Sir-Bites-A-Lot-Explosion-Murder"). Totally falls in love with Soap first but is too chicken to say anything about it so he just follows Soap and the other knights around like a lost puppy

Price: King of... whatever the kingdom is called (either England or a made up country). Always busy, always tired. Loves his crazy found family of knights and killers and academics. Adopted Gaz when he was a boy

Gaz: Price's adopted son and heir to the throne. Enjoys running drills with Soap and Roach more than sitting for his history lessons. Best friends with Roach because they pretty much grew up together

Laswell: An advisor in the King's Court, like a Prime Minister-level person who works alongside Price. Super well respected and loved by the people because she's awesome :D

Roach: Another knight in Price's Guard. Mute, communicates with sign language. Has been Gaz's personal knight (and best friend) since forever. Orphan vibes

König: A knight from another kingdom sent to Price as a sort of exchange/show of good will. Was an executioner in the past (sniper's hood -> executioner's hood) because he was tall/strong enough to physically subdue the prisoners. Carries around an axe instead of a sword

Alejandro: ??

Rudy: ??

Graves: Either a knight in Price's Guard or an advisor in his Court that betrays them for the enemy kingdom

Shepherd: King of the other kingdom they're at war with

Other knights: Nikolai, Yuri, Poet, Meat, Toad, Archer, Zach, Chemo, Merlin, Royce, Peasant, Worm, Scarecrow, Rook, Ozone

#call of duty #medieval 141 lore #call of duty ghost #call of duty soap #call of duty price #call of duty gaz #call of duty laswell #call of duty roach #call of duty Konig #call of duty Alejandro #call of duty Rodolfo #call of duty graves #call of duty shepherd

[ttlurking]

I'm a Halloween type if bitch so ofc I can't stop thinking about CoD characters as monsters.

Ghost is definitely a vampire, it's the only monster I can see for him. He thrives in the shadows. He's been a vampire since he was buried alive. Simon died in that grave and Ghost came out thirsting for blood.

Rudy, Alejandro and Soap are all werewolves, they go along swimmingly and you can find em dogpiling during downtime. Soap is a newer turned werewolf while Rudy and Alejandro are born werewolves. They're very protective of him.

Gaz is a fledgling vampire, he's never tasted human blood before, unlike Ghost. He either feeds on animal blood or artificial blood.

Laswell is a Banshee (and I'm going with the Teen Wolf interpretation of a banshee for this one) Thanks to her premonition a lot of deaths have been avoided and this makes her an indispensable tactical mind and advisor (paired with her own natural talents for strategy and analysis, she's truly the backbone of 141)

I'm extremely torn on Price. It'd be so funny to make him human just so he can be the normal parent surrounded by a rowdy bunch of supernatural children. A werewolf and a vampire would suit him as well. As do other forms of undead. I need to think about it 🤔

Maybe I'll make another post on SpecGru and KorTac as a whole

#call of duty mw2 #cod mw2 #cod mw2 headcanons #cod mw2 au #monsters #classic monsters #halloween

[placeinthemiddleofnowhere]

Expanding on the nude model idea, AU where Frenchie is an overworked art student and walks into class one day to see that the bane of their existence (Soap) is the nude model they’ll be working on for the next few weeks.

Poor Frenchie 😭 they can’t even escape Soap in a different universe ahaha

I can imagine this being a killer AU though! Soap and Frenchie meet each other in the gym, Soap is doing a sports science degree and basically lives there and Frenchie goes because working out helps them get their energy flowing for their art.

They clash when Soap sees Frenchie lifting a weight slightly wrong and goes to correct them and Frenchie is big mad because he does it so sooo condescendingly. From there on Soap will pass by them, no matter what kind of work out they’re doing, and make snide comments like “forms all wrong” and “that’s how you run?” and “maybe you should try a lower weight, huh?” Frenchie hates it and turns their music up every time, vowing that they will never give into the urge to chuck a dumbbell at Soap because it would undo all the hard work they had put into their degree so far.

Frenchie hates him immensely and Soap lives for the banter they have. However, Soap doesn’t really have much of an idea of who Frenchie is or what they do for their degree, and doesn’t find out until he finds himself in a horrible money situation. He’s running low on funds and his parents won’t send him any money because they want to teach him independence, so he starts looking for ways to cut costs and also make a little extra money while he studies. When he asks one of the university advisors they mention that the art school have a program where they pay people to be nude models. He’s not thrilled at the idea, but he ultimately decides to do it because A he’s desperate for more money because maintaining that gym body and drinking with his friends all the time is EXPENSIVE and B it’s not like he’s self conscious cause *look at him*

Meanwhile, Frenchie is preparing their art supplies and getting their sketchpad ready while professor Price - who leads the art class - introduces the next project. All the students are to be matched up with a model who will pose nude for them, and the students are to fill out a 20 page sketchbook with a full anatomy study of their subject over the course of a month long period.

Frenchie is a bit shy at the prospect of having to draw someone naked, even if they are a professional, and watch as the others in their class are paired off with names on the board. They watch as their friend Alejandro is told to meet with someone called Rodolfo Parra from Engineering and their other friend Gaz is given Simon Riley in Sports Science. Frenchie frowns as they’re told that they’re also Matched up with someone from Sports science and tries to remember why the name John MacTavish sounds so familiar to them…

Price tells the students they can wait to meet their models next class or give them a message before and get to know them a bit first to make them more comfortable with what’s about to take place. Afterwards Frenchie intercepts Gaz as they leave class, once Professor Price dismisses them and ask if he wants to walk to the gym together to find their models. Gaz says sure and smiles at Frenchie, offering them a pat on the shoulder.

“Hard luck on your subject, mate,” he laughs, knowing full well how much Frenchie hates their new model.

“What do you mean? Do you know who that is? The name is so familiar to me, but I can’t figure out why i know it!”

Gaz bites his lip and stares ahead, he’s caught in a cross roads. Should he tell Frenchie or just let them find out. His decision is made when Frenchie death glares at him and shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Frenchie…it’s Soap.”

That’s when the spark of realisation turns to fire in Frenchies eyes. They’re livid.

Frenchie stomps down to the gym and gets right in Soap’s face while he’s in the middle of doing barbell squats - as you can imagine Frenchie is down on their knees glowering up at the Scotsman.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing!” Frenchie seethes.

“Em…working out?” Soap grunts, stooping forward so he can stick the barbell on the rack. “I can forgive you for not knowing that though. You’re pretty shite at everything in here.”

“Not-! Ugh, you idiot! You’ve ruined the gym for me and now you’re ruining my course too!”

“Your course?” Soap frowns.

“You signed up to be nude model didn’t you? Or did you not? Please tell me one of your stupid friends signed you up for it or something and this is all just a massive joke, please I can’t-“

“Wait…how’d you find that out?” Soap interrupts, getting antsy over how loudly Frenchie said that, he’d rather the whole gym didn’t know about his last resort money making method.

“Because you’re getting paired up with me for it!” Frenchie says, slapping Soap’s arm. “Price is making me study you and fill a twenty fucking page sketchbook with pictures of your disgusting naked body.”

Frenchie and Soap stare at each other after that and soon they’re put on a level playing field - they both realise what’s about to happen over the next month. Soap tells them that they’re fixing that and they both march back to art class and pretty much pound Price’s office door in just so that they can speak to him. Price is thoroughly taken off guard as they both start screeching at him about the arrangement and has to shout at them to be quiet and directs them to speak one at a time. After hearing that they want to switch partners, Price denies them and tells them the partners are fixed. Soap can either drop out and lose out on getting any money, or Frenchie can drop out of his class and say goodbye to their degree for lack of professionalism. Obviously neither of them want to back down, so they slump out of the room defeated when they realise the arrangement will go on as planned.

The next class after that is awkward for Frenchie. Soap comes in wearing a robe and sits on his little stool in front of them. They’re both in the art class with all the other artists and models all spread out across the room, and they’re in the corner next to one of the frosted windows so that there’s a dramatic clash of light and shadow. Frenchie tries to keep their mind on this - the lighting - and tries not to think too much about who the lighting will be cast on. Similarly Soap is sitting there staring up to the ceiling and cursing his parents for trying to teach him financial independence at a time like this.

Price comes into the room and gives everyone a short introduction, reiterating to the artists and models exactly what’s going to happen and advises the artists to use a variety of mediums and make far more than twenty drawings - he stresses they should draw little sketches on scrap paper to play with different forms and find the best angels - and Frenchie and Soap are cringing all the more at the thought. However Price finishes his intro and ushers the artists to start their work and from there Frenchie makes eye contact with Soap and they both glare at each other. Soap clenches his jaw and brings his hand to his robe, offering Frenchie a middle finger before undoing the belt and letting it come off.

Frenchie has to stop themselves from widening their eyes cause DAMN they did not expect that thing to spring out when he got naked. Frenchie figured so much of Soap’s dick was inserted into his personality that he probably wouldn’t outwardly have much of one - but they were sorely mistaken. However being the professional they are, they just clench their teeth and start making initial sketches, shakily asking Soap to move into different positions. They’d had a grand master plan of different poses that would most embarrass Soap before they’d started and had been so eager to direct him into them, but now they were too flustered to enact them. Instead Frenchie defaulted on their love of the class to get them through the session and started making beautiful sketches with pencils and charcoal and paints and realised that actually…Soap might’ve been an absolute moron but…he was a pretty moron 😳 and as the hours ticked by and Soap watched Frenchie more and more intently he could tell that their attitude toward him was warming. It wasn’t outright hatred anymore, there was something else now, a spark of lust lingering in their focused gaze. And no matter what he thought of Frenchie he knew he was going to make a point of visiting their dorm later that night, he’d tell them he “wanted to the see the sketches” but he’d come for something else…

#(un)bearable AU #johnny soap mactavish

[ghouljams]

Dearest parental figure, if you’re tired of beating medieval ghost and his princess with a stick could we check in on medieval Gaz?

If not I will sit right back down to enjoy the trauma. Please and thank you.

(dreamy sigh) Gaz...

Yeah I can do some medieval Gaz, where did we leave of? The man of the hour was stealing away maid!reader for some mischief, er, sleep...

You think it's rather fun sneaking around with a man who could freely walk the halls with you and incur no judgement. The way Gaz pulls you around corners and presses his hand over your mouth leaves you giggling. Maybe you've had a little too much to drink. But! It's so much fun! You stumble up stairs and hold a finger to your lips to shush Gaz as you pull him back behind a tapestry. He spends a brief moment marveling at the secret servant's passage before casting his wicked grin on you and making you laugh all over again.

"You're going to give us away doll," He tells you seriously, though it's hard to take him so seriously when he smiles like that. You do your best to quiet down the giggles and give him your best most serious look. He snorts, quite elegantly, and bites his lip to prevent a repeat of the sound.

"If we aren't doing anything but getting a sleeping tonic for you, then what's there to give away?" You whisper ask, though calling it a whisper is too quiet an adjective. You're a little louder than you really should be.

"You don't think a pretty thing like you following a strange man to his quarters is cause for talk?" He asks, holding the door for you on the other end of the tunnel.

"I don't think you're strange," You tell him with a smile and a quick raise of your brows. Gaz rolls his eyes but his grin doesn't leave him. You think he looks rather dashing when he smiles, more rakish than his usual stern expression --handsome as that may be. He opens his mouth to respond and stops, looking around as you make your way to the storeroom.

"Why're we in the kitchen?" Gaz asks, apparently not so upset by the change in scenery he can't swipe an apple from the nearby basket. You hum, pulling the herbs you need.

"You said you wanted a tonic," You settle the necessaries on the middle island.

"Didn't really mean-" He grumbles and sighs, "Alright, tonic, fine." He relents.

"What else could you have meant?" You tease, rolling up your sleeves and turning to get the kettle on. You nearly run into Gaz, the proud set of his shoulders hardly twitching as you lean back against the counter to avoid bumping him. His hands settle on either side of you on the island, fingers drumming impatiently against the wood. He's awfully close. The smell of his cologne, the rich dark leather and currant of it, is terribly enticing. He makes you want to lean close with one breath, one warm glance.

He has a habit of boxing you in, doesn't he? You're not sure if you should be indulging in it or trying to break him of it. He leans close, dips his head towards your shoulder, and you find yourself baring your neck to make room for him. He breathes deeply, and you wonder if he's enjoying your perfume the way you're enjoying his. The brush of his breath against your skin raises goosebumps. You can't help but shiver.

"Are you being purposefully obtuse, or do you really not know?" He murmurs, and you wonder if it's just the angle or if you can truly feel the brush of his lips against your neck. It must be his breath, or your hair, anything else. It makes your breath catch in your chest just the same. Makes you freeze like a rabbit in a snare, waiting for his next move.

When he does finally move away from you the air feels terribly cold. The warmth of him leaving you as quickly as it had appeared. "I'm going back," He tells you, "take the tonic to my room when you finish." You wish your brain would unstick itself from the tar he plunged it into, that you had anything witty to say back. Gaz doesn't wait for an answer, he leaves you to your work in the kitchen. Leaves you to calm your pounding heart by yourself. A charming man is more dangerous than a tyrant, but you can't say you don't enjoy it.

#cod x reader #x reader #kyle garrick mw2 #kyle garrick x reader #kyle garrick #kyle gaz garrick #gaz x reader #gaz mw2 #gaz cod #advisor!Gaz #medieval au #I love him your honor and he can do no wrong #gaz stans where r u #u never come to my inbox please i wanna write more gaz

[sethvzekiel]

Read too much manhwa today but Medieval Fantasy AU Kingsguard!141 x Reader who is the new Grand Duke of the North by virtue of "mysterious hunting accident kills the old duke," so the king sends the 141 to the North to investigate reader for treason, only for reader to slowly turn them against the king.

"Like having an enemy on our doorstep," Gaz huffed, "the North has never been ours."

Price took a long, smoky drag of his cigar — the only thing he'd splurge his knight-captain's salary on. He glared down at the massive, snowy territory marked out on the map as if it would come to life with an army of usurpers and firepower.

"More like an enemy in our own fucking house."

König can be the lost true king hiding under Duke Reader's protection and gets attached to them. Laswell is the king's advisor who frankly cares more about the 141 instead of the despot tyrant in charge. Alejandro. Farah. Alex. Anyway.

#let me think about this ok #will make proper writing on this at some point

[callsign-bunnie]

Future Royalty au-

King Price and Queen Laswell are married (though as a lavender wedding, they're best friends who wanted join each other's land together)

Jen is Laswell's personal advisor, Nikolai is a planet hopper who Price joined (stowed away) on a 3 month trip around the planets.

Gaz is a kid who's good at talking but not fighting who Price picked up to be the next Prince. Alex is head of the military (run by Laswell)

Gaz is sent to the planet where Farah is Princess to start ally talks, with Alex being Gaz's personal guard. They get to know each other there and feelings happen.

Feel free to not write, I just wanted to share this space-based royalty au ^^ -3HN

(p.s. theres more, but feel free to do whatever you want w the concept)

This looks more like a fic, but I love the concept so I'm letting everyone see it!

I'd love to see more, though!

#bunny speaks

[cointahmin]

İstanbul’da düzenlenen Blockchain Economy Istanbul Summit başladı. Kıymetli isimlerin katıldığı doruğun oturumlarından dikkat çeken açıklamalar canlı blogla cointahmin.com’da…Blockchain ve kripto para kesiminin dikkat çeken tepelerinden bir olan Blockchain Economy İstanbul Summit bugün ve yarın gerçekleşecek oturumlarla iki gün sürecek. Tepe boyunca kripto para ve blockchain dünyasının değerli isimleri konuşmalar gerçekleştirecek. Bu isimler ortasında en çok öne çıkan isimler bugün bir oturumda konuşacak olan Eight Küresel Kurucusu ve CEO’su Michael van de Poppe ve yarın ise Fundstrat Küresel Advisors Kurucusu Wall Street Analisti Tom Lee birinci dikkat çekenler.Saat: 10.45: OKX CEO’su HongZirvenin açılış konuşmasını OKX CEO’su Hong yaptı. Hong, konuşmasında bilhassa son yaşanan bankacılık kriziyle blockchain teknolojisi ve merkeziyetsizliğin ne kadar elzem hale geldiğinin bir defa daha görüldüğüne vurgu yaptı. İşte Hong’un açıklamalarında dikkat çeken başlıklar:“Sistemin yine yazılmasına gereksinimimiz varken son iki ayda 5 banka düştü. En büyük bankalardan bir tanesiydi. Doğal olarak beşerler kızıyor ve sorular sormak istiyorlar. Param inançta mi, bankada mı tutmalıyım? Enflasyon riski de var… Dünyada bu mevzuda gerilimi çeken ülkeler var. Dünyanın pek çok öbür yerinde de beşerler külfet yaşıyor. Denetim eksikliğinden ötürü gelecekleriyle ilgili belirsizlikler var. Kendi platformlarımıza sahip olabilir miyiz? Son 20 yılda teknolojinin gelişmesiyle teknoloji bireylere çok büyük bir güç veriyor. Sistemi tekrar yazma gereksinimi var mı? Biz o denli düşünüyoruz. Biz yalnızca konuşmuyoruz, buna katkıda bulunmak için bir şeyler yapıyoruz. Her bir ufak adımın bizi ileriye ittiğini düşünüyorum.Geleceğimiz hakkında pek çoğumuz denetim istiyoruz. Paramızın inançta olmasını istiyoruz. Artık etrafımıza baktığımızda pek çok acı hissediyoruz. Fakat birçok vakit bu soruların sorulması değişim için gereklidir.” OKX CEO’su HongSaat: 11.15Eight Küresel Kurucusue ve CEO’su Michael van de PoppeEight Global’in MN Trading’e dönüşeceğini ve 1 Haziran’da Crypto 101 ile birinci lansmanı yapacaklarını açıkladı İşte öne çıkanlar: Enflasyon var, dolar kıymet kaybediyor, bankalar dağılıyor. Portföyünüzü nasıl yöneteceksiniz? Pazarda çok fazla gürültü var. Aslında bu gürültüler her yıl olur. Örneğin doğal gaz fiyatları. Hükümet gaz kullanımına hudut koydu ancak gaz fiyatları geçen yıla nazaran daha ucuz. Her şey tekrarlıyor. Şayet kendinize şunu sorarsanız: Son 50 yıldır artan emlak fiyatları artmaya devam edecek mi? 50 yıl evvel herkes bunu yapıyordu. İki yıldır herkes kriptoya atladı. Zira herkes bunu yapıyordu.

[davidshawnsown]

USA BASEBALL ONE-SHOT RPF 2: Mike's Boys (chapter 1)

(AN: Dedicated to manager Mike Bianco and his boys of the 2022 USA Baseball CNT who won the hearts of the nation in their journey in last July's Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands. They together with those who took part in the team trials are featured in this one shot. It is also in honor of the 1st anniversary of Team USA's Olympics silver campaign in Japan, the 31st Ukrainian Independence Day and Mark DeRosa's appointment as USA Baseball skipper for the World Baseball Classic as well as the recent staff announcements for Team USA. It will be a preview of the many other faces featured in this series from within the MLB and the other USA and Canadian leagues. Also, I'm using townships as American English equivalent for the hromadas or municipal goverments under Ukrainian districts since they were in existence since 2020.)

SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF THE KHARKIV METROPOLITAN AREA, KHARKIV OBLAST

Friday, April 29, 2022

1415H EEST

Given that the 78th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has excelled themselves in helping the Ukrainian counteroffensive that has relieved the ongoing near siege of the city from the north since February 24 by Russia after having helped relieve Chernihiv early in the month, COL Mike Bianco, now a part of the brigade as staff officer on secondment from his military regiment of students from Ole Miss who are part of its brigade and soon considered to be promoted a brigadier general, is already resting after the brigade was moved back from the frontlines after a few weeks of fighting with the 12th Infantry Battalion (Separate) of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, as well as the UGF's 93rd and 72nd Mechanized Infantry Brigades and the National Guard's 12th and 5th Operational Brigades in their AOR. As one of the advisors to the brigade commander, his efforts have helped the brigade contribute in the ongoing battles to liberate towns and rural communities north and northeast of that city, wherein American Humvees, Strykers, M2 and M3 Bradleys and M113s as well as Abrams and M60 Patton tanks fired on Russians armed with BMPs, BTRs, GAZ Tigers and variants of the T-72 and T-80. Use of the M142 HIMARS and M270s by the rocket artillery battalion and M777s and M109s by the field artillery have shocked the Russians so much, the brigade's Ukrainian advisor who reports to the commander of the Territorial Defense Forces, who also serves as interpreter for the commander, BG Hopkins, has said of their effectiveness and that the Ukrainians have been facinated by the use of these systems hoping that the UGF will soon purchase these systems for use soon.

The brigade's component units abroad have set camp and are building a new FOB the other day near Merefa township in Kharkiv District, preparing for a move to the Donbass to help UGF formations and the National Guard fight the invader in weeks after final operations in Kharkiv's north. The colonel is today walking on the encamped formations of the brigade and the works on the permanent FOB as the old temporary one had been yesterday handed over to the Ukrainians and is already approaching where the 1st Battalion, led by LTC Fenster, has stationed with the rest of the brigade after such days of combat ops with their Ukrainian counterparts. The battalion CO saluted him as he recognized the colonel, as well as A Company commander CPT Frazier and his XO CPT Tulowitzki. He was greeting them both that morning, asking them, "Where are my boys?"

The captain responded, "Right there near their camp, near the 1st Platoon."

At a sudden, the 6th platoon commander, 1LT Payton, recognized the commander of what was supposed to be the 2022 collegiate and ROTC mobilization unit of the 78th Brigade. But now given the war in Ukraine, it became part of A Company of the 1st Battalion as its 6th platoon out of 8 overall in the company.

"ASSEMBLE!" cries the lieutenant. The platoon steps into formation. It presents arms as COL Bianco arrives to where they are.

Greeting the colonel, it orders arms, and the lieutenant informs him that the platoon is all present and accounted for. Despite these days of tough battles, none of the Americans died, only little injuries among the young men. Thanks to that new Starlink system, finally these boys can continue studying for their collegiate degrees using their laptops and talk and write emails to their families while fighting in the frontlines in the Ukrainian northeast, their platoon commander has stated to the colonel.

"At ease, gentlemen," the colonel says.

He begins to talk to them regarding the hardships that took them to where they are now. Within the frontlines of a war between two nations, in the Ukrainian stepps and wide plain and hills away from their families, fighting against Russians and their allies in occuiped Donetsk and Luhansk which for years have organized armed forces to support the pro-Russian governments of their regions, they have been doing that since late March when the whole brigade was called into battle in Irpin town, and then in Chernihiv. Elements of the 1st Battalion were committed into these battles with the rest of the brigade, with the fuel and ammo being shipped from Poland to help them directly as well as several elements of the young International Legion of Territorial Defense. Following the Irpin liberation, the brigade was among the first to assist newly-liberated Bucha and was witness to the retreval of the first bodies of Ukrainian civilian dead of the Russian military massacres of opponents of Russia's invasion, a huge war crime that defined the evil ways of many service personnel of the Russian Ground Forces, either as officers, warrant officers, and professional and conscripted NCOs and enlisted personnel and blew open the truth of their atrocities before the world. Then they left to join the Ukrainian forces relieving the Siege of Chernihiv. Now they have been committed in pushing back Russians from Kharkiv Oblast and the districts comprising Kharkiv City and those north and northeast of it with 2 UGF and 2 National Guard brigades, as well as 2 territorial brigades. Amazingly, even at the cost of Ukrainian lives, no American has been killed so far in the ranks of the 1st Battalion in Kharkiv while there were fatalities there and in Chernihiv in the ranks of the armored cavalry squadron and the other battalions. Despite the young age of the lads and the fact that they have been fighting for almost 4 months they survived AND they still carried on their college studies remotely, with their universities slowly noticing that these brave collegiate boys are now fighting not just for Ukraine, nor for the American people, but for global democracy.

The 78th Brigade, the 1st American reserve brigade to be deployed fighting against Russia in this war, had been the first to help the determined Ukranians in the weeks after the invasion, and soon other brigades would land into Eastern Europe to assist the fighting boys and girls from Cary in their struggle in support of their Ukrainian brothers and sisters, not just from the 46th Command but from other mobilized formations of the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.

The days of battles in Ukraine cemented Colonel Bianco's boys into a tough, determined bunch of men with the rest of their company. None was more determined to lead them into the battlefield than 1LT Payton the platoon commander, getting orders from both company and battalion leaders, who are right there where they are encamped after being withdrawn from the Kharkiv front.

He told the colonel, "Sir, after almost three weeks in Kharkiv, these boys that you have trained in Cary and in Durham, and together with the regulars of the Army, including the Green Berets, have become young battle hardened men who fought with tenacity, bravery and firm determination for the nation. Every damn day, these boys and I their platoon commander have helped Able Company and the whole of the 1st Battalion fulfill their objectives in the defense of Ukraine on behalf of the American people and their armed forces as well as our NATO partners. Those damn Russians think that by fighting Ukraine they may be getting ready for the real charge of their forces against NATO, the European Union, and above all else, my country whose flag I swore to serve faithfully in the army. Now we've shown them that they are fighting against a people determined to keep their freedom and democracy alive - with all our support! Thanks for training us to be a battle hardened platoon fighting for our freedom no matter what, sir."

The colonel had thanked him in response to these remarks, knowing that all the hard work and training had finally paid off, now that they and the rest of A Company has had distinguished themselves in the Kharkiv front of the war with the rest of their battalion. He was indeed glad that his boys are still alive and in one piece, carrying all the weapons and gear they had from home into battle against Russia. All of them are equipped properly even with ear plugs for those in the artillery battalions and better personal equipment for all in the brigade.

"We still remember those days," 1LT Bradfield, the platoon second in command, said, "that we've almost died if not for the actions of the rest of the brigade and our Ukrainian brothers. Those Russians, sir, they were determined to kill us just because our government is helping Ukraine, but we proved them wrong." Such were those days that the platoon and almost all of A Company was almost in certain death when it and the whole of the 1st battalion were fighting companies of Russian infantrymen and tankers from battalion combat groups whereever they fought. In Kharkiv, this meant that days after being regrouped there they faced a reduced force from the legendary 4th Guards Tank and 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Divisions of the Russian Ground Forces's 1st Guards Tank Army, the seniormost armored and mechanized divisions, respectively of the Western Military District and the most prestigeous of the country's divisions with lineage dating to the Second World War. These two elite divisions, together with the then newly reactivated 47th Guards Tank Division, were the most feared of the 1st GTA when they advanced into Kharkiv with the rest of the formation, but the Ukrainians stopped them in their tracks for the first three months of the war and are being pushed out of Kharkiv Oblast, the city, despite heavy Russian artillery and missile strikes, being saved from direct military action at a cost of thousands of lives lost among the Ukrainians and the few among the Americans of the 78th Brigade that arrived there joined by the 3rd NY of the 901st Division's 1st IBCT led by COL Boone and some other elements of the other major mobilization brigades - the 84th and 37th Brigade Combat Teams of the 169th and 892nd commands. The 3rd NY, together with the 62nd New York Metropolitan Light Infantry, led by COL Barnes on behalf of the regimental colonel, now BG Showalter, were the first two 169th Corps regiments deployed to Ukraine during the war and both had amazing records of personel sent to wars of the past and the present first to US Army regular formations and then the 78th Brigade. Now that after years of deploying their personnel as part of US Army regular units, the 46th, 169th and 892nd commands were the first active reservists to fight in Ukraine, mainly to support the fellow Americans in the International Legion of Territorial Defense - and to fight alongside the men and women of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Now that the war had been already in its third month, there was no doubt that the Ukrainians have been noticing the brave Americans from Cary fighting for them. The platoon's second in command indeed stated that what they and the 1st Battalion did ensured the Russian offensive in Kharkiv to be a total disaster for them and a great win for Ukrainians, and have saved the brigade from certain defeat. But now, they are facing both the 200th and 80th Motor Rifle Brigades from the Russian 14th Army Corps from the Northern Fleet Coastal Defense, as well as elements of the 6th Army's 138th Brigade as the other infantry brigade, the 25th, had been recalled back to Russia for refitting. The two Northern Fleet infantry brigades had been activated in the past decade as the country's premier units in the Arctic but now had been fighting in northeastern Ukraine together with two regiments of infantry each from the 1st and 2nd Army Corps under the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Militias, respectively, and the 68th Marine Brigade of the Northern Fleet. The two Army Corps, which form part of the Russian forces of the Southern Military District, report to the governments of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics and their respective defense ministries, while being under overall Russian command from Moscow and under the operational control of the Minstry of Defense led by General of the Army Shoigu.

"So you still remember those days you and the WHOLE 6th Platoon saved Able Company?" asked Captain Frazier.

"Yes, sir", replied 1LT Bradfield. "We saved the company and all of our battalion. The memories of having these men saving Able are still fresh, having to hit those T-80s and T-72s with Javellins and grenades, as well as those BMPs and armored carriers. And all those Russians."

"Indeed, Colonel Bianco, these boys saved all of us in the company from death. They risked all to save the brigade and our Ukrainian partners from being slaughtered by these Ruskies", Captain Frazier said. And he still remembers that one day that they faced Russians from the 14th Corps to the north of Kharkiv with the whole of the company. Just as they talked, Major General Scioscia arrived with the rest of the 1st platoon, including many of the "Tokyo Boys" from last year's national contingent that deployed in Japan. He was joined that day by BG Mark deRosa and MG Tony Reagins, part of the command staff (the recently promoted brigadier general part of the brigade staff being groomed to be the executive officer). The major general was part of then COL Scioscia’s command as commandant of the 61st Los Angeles in the late 2000s and was assigned as part of the Anaheim city garrison. He asked the company commander, "Are you serious they saved the brigade, and my boys too as well?" "Yes", Captain Frazier said. "They saved you and the 1st platoon, many times. Most of all they saved my life and that of my fellow officers. Despite their young age, they showed their prowess in battle, and showed how powerful our forces are." 1LT Payton said, "Damn right we are, and we always still have these memories of fighting against these Russians." 1LT Austin said to him "That's a sure fact, and indeed we are grateful to you guys."

FLASHBACK

SOMEWHERE NORTHEAST OF KHARKIV CITY

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2022

1015H EEST

That day elements of the 78th Brigade were assigned to help the 113rd Territorial Defense Infantry Brigade of the TDF, with attached International Legion elements, to liberate the village of Cherkas'ki Tyshky in Tsyrkuny Township, Kharkiv District, after the township center had been liberated days ago with their help. The infantry and the armored battalions as well as the field artillery battalion equipped with the M777 towed gun as well as a MANPADS battery from one of the air defense battalions were all stationed there and the brigade had just set up its new barracks and FOB south of Derhachi town northwest of the city for easy access to the frontlines to the north and to the city itself as well as to avoid Russian artillery shelling. The rest of the brigade is in Korotych to the west awaiting for their move to the new location.

A and B Companies of the 1st Battalion have been the vanguard of the US contribution there for weeks after being relocated from Chernihiv following the successful lifting of the siege there early in the month in which the brigade took part. Now the General Staff of the Armed Forces has noticed that there ARE indeed Americans fighting for Ukraine outside of the International Legion, for the bravery of the 78th has awakened Americans to the truth that this war would soon evolve into a global one or another Cold War, either way would change the world just as the first Cold War was. C Company, the women's contingent, is now being prepped to move as the last of the 1st Battalion to relocate to Derhachi as the remainder of the brigade would be moved there once an expanded camp is finished thanks to the work of the combat enginers within the unit. Thus the ones on the field now are, together with the battalion HQ company, are A, B, D, E and F Companies, the heavy weapons company and the battalion cannon company affilated with the brigade field artillery battalions.

Joining them in that part of the city's metro area were the 1st Battalion of the 83rd Philadelphia under LTC Thompson and the 1st battalion of the 71st Atlanta led by LTC Seitzer it's commanding officer, which are the reserve formations in this operation and are stationed a few miles away from Tsyrkuny proper. A Company of the 83rd under 1LT Hoskins is with elements of the 1st Battalion. That morning the 1st and 2nd Battalions together with the armor, field and air defense artillery elements, as well as service support elements of the brigade have been on the move together with elements of the 113rd Territorial Defense Brigade of the Territorial Defense to fulfill their objectives north of Kharkiv and to regain parts of its expanded metropolitan area. That morning, in the midst of the hot late spring weather, they are leaving the newly liberated shire town and hromada seat of Tsyrkuny which has been their home for days after assisting in the liberation of that town and are heading westwards on Cooperative Street after leaving the main street of the town towards their objectives of liberating much of the northern half of the township, including Cherkas'ki Tyshky village. Intel states that it is the 200th Brigade, nearest to the city itself, and a battalion of DPR militias are holding on to the northern part of that township after Tsyrkuny had been liberated and the Russian infantrymen, tankers and gunners pushed back north. One or two of the battalions of the 200th are already there in the northwest of the shire town, having retreated following the battle days ago together with the field artillery and tank elements. Most are moving away north, fearful of the advancing Ukrainians chasing them away and setting up new positions. The Bradleys together with 2 companies of M60 Super Pattons and a troop of M3 Bradleys provide the armored escort for the 113rd's battalion battle group and the M777 field guns have been placed south of the township's shire town to provide indirect fire support, with some of the air defense systems on Humvee chassis assigned to the advancing battalion formation.

At the lead M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 2 of them, plus one M113, are the company command and the Ukrainian interpreter of the company always joining them in the first M2, which has the company commander CPT Frazier and his deputies, with the second carrying among others the company lead medic and his XO Captain Troy Tulowitzki. The modernized M113A3 has 1SGT Gose, company first sergeant, on board. Following them are the Bradley IFVs and M1064A3 Mortar Carriers of the platoons. Joining them are Humvee and M113 combat armored ambulances and some others including ammo and signals vehicles assigned to the company behind the infantry as well as 2 MT-LBs assigned to the company HQ and painted in US Army camo, mounted with the M60 machine gun as well as one M4 Bradley FIST for forward artillery observers at the rear of the column. The MT-LBs hold members of the HQ platoon and part of the signals section. One more M4 Bradley FIST is manned by the 113rd's artillery observers and carries the Ukrainian national arms. Following them are elements of A Company of the 1st battalions of the 83rd and 71st led respectively by 1st Lieutenants Hoskins and Duvall on their Bradleys with the rest of the battalions' companies in the main highway with some of the 113rd's personnel together with battalion staff.

Having crossed the road bridge spanning the Kharkiv River, they arrived at 0910H at the western edges Tyshky, setting up their field HQ for the operation at an open field north of the intersection of Skillnyi and Kalnova Streets with another road leading to a local hotel. The 1st battalion began to mass its forces in coordination with the elements of the 113th Brigade thru the battalion's main Ukrainian Ground Forces liason officer who asks as the interpreter for the battalion and in charge of his fellow Ukrainian personnel assigned to the companies and the battalion HQ doing the same role. The section chief coordinates with the 113th's command for any action the brigade would be doing so that the 78th would be properly informed of what they are to do. Today the brigade is doing battalion level ops with two of the battalions working to fulfill their objectives, and the 78th BCT's 1st and 2nd Battalions has been assigned once more to help them. The main elements of the battalion are assembled there while west of their location are elements of the HQ company with the cannon company stationed east, with guns unlimbered from the M35 carrier trucks and the Avenger air defense systems also located to give much needed air defense power against any Russian Air Force fighter jets, transports and helicopters.

LTC Fenster, battalion commander, is stationed at the intersection with Captains Frazier and Arrietta of A and B Companies together with his battalion staff and their Ukrainian liasons working with the 113th. The D and E company commanders, Captains Ober and Zimmerman, are also there. Joining them are his executive officer, MAJ Sogard, and the company executive officers, CPT Tulowitzki, 1LT Fowler, 1LT Swaggery and 1LT Naquin and and the first sergeants from the companies of the 1st Battalion sans C Company, as well as from F Company, its commander 1LT Cupp and XO 1LT Mitchell, all being OCS alumni despite their young age. The heavy weapons company commander and XO are there as well while the commander and staff of the cannon company is with the towed M101 field guns and communicates with them via radio and mobile phones. They are being briefed on the final readiness of their units and any Russian positions they would encounter together with the Ukrainian counterparts, as well as on what the American strategy would be for that operation in this suburban town. Together with them are Captains Duvall and Hoskins from their respective regiments as well as their company XOs, 1LTs Nola and Riley. However they recieved word that the 1st Battalion 3rd NY has also arrived in Tsyrkuny and will deploy their forces on the main road while A and B Companies are already on the move to the west to join them led by Captain Aaron Judge of the former. The battalion command, led by LTC Rojas, has been stationed at the township seat as well to monitor the situation at the frontlines. The battalion had been fighting the Russians in Kharkiv's north east for days now as well.

The plan called for the 1st Battalion 78th BCT to help the 113rd engage its targets in the village of Cherkas'ki Tyshky and its northern neighbouring village of Rus'ki Tyshky with the 3 companies from the 71st Atlanta, 83rd Philadelphia and 3rd NY while the 2nd battalion would operate on the main road of the township with the remainder of the 3 respective battalions while the brigade field and air defense artillery is stationed in the township seat save for the mobile Avenger SAM systens mounted in Humvees. Their mission is to remove any Russians from the two villages in the township from the 200th Brigade in conjunction with their Ukrainian counterparts.

Then the LTC recieved a call from brigade command stationed in the township seat. They are monitoring the battle thru a Bradley Command Vehicle and the comms lines are still active. The command delegation is mounted on two BCVs, one M577 Command Post Carrier on M113 chassis for the battalion sergeant major, two MT-LBs and a M1130, as well as signals trucks and vehicles. BG DeRosa had just dismounted and had called up MG Scioscia from the FOB in Derhachi regarding the readiness of the combat element. With him is MG Reagins, the representative of the 46th Command who serves as its operational commander in Ukraine, as brigade commander BG Hopkins, with his deputy COL Campbell the brigade XO, are still on the FOB and are moving there to help better supervise the operation at hand. BG DeRosa is the command's operational XO for Ukrainian operations.

"General DeRo, we understand," the battalion commander noted, "and we are already coordinating with the 113rd. Intel states there are Russians from 2 infantry battalions of the 200th Motor Rifle Brigade stationed north of our positions, and the Ukrainians are heading there now. We are providing force multipliers for this and are fighting with them." This was in response to a question by the brigadier general that they understood the directives given the previous day in a command briefing in Kharkiv with the Ukrainian liasons and representatives of the 113rd Brigade regarding the operation they would jointly do that day after having helped liberate Tsyrkuny. Just after their arrival, they linked up with the 72nd Mechanized Brigade of the UGF and helped them perform company-level ops with some large battalion level battles. And since April 12, they have been assigned to fight with the 113rd Territorial Defense Brigade, which they have been tasked for their ongoing operations, given that they are at the Kharkiv area. They have been in Tsyrkuny since yesterday, given that they and the 113rd were together in the battles for the township seat. Now they are fighting to recapture the rest of the township to the north.

"Where is 1st Battalion going?"

"Up north, to fight Russians where we are now at Cherkas'ki Tyshky", LTC Fenster answered. "The 113rd is already there with some of its companies with the rest on the main road. We've been asked to assist them in capturing the rest of the village. Ukrainian intel states that a few companies of the 2nd battalion, 200th Motor Rifle Brigade, are in the village, the rest to the north and on the main road where the 2nd Battalion and the rest of the 113rd are deployed now. We've been tasked to eliminate those elements or make them get out of the village, sir. We're waiting for two companies of the 1st Battalion 3rd NY who are already coming to our positions now to reinforce the battalion. Captain Judge of A Company leads that detachment."

"I understand," the brigadier general noted. "And two additional companies from 74th Division here as well?"

He answered yes, adding that their company commanders are there as well. Their position would be the basis of a future FOB for the Territorial Defense Forces in the future, but they are exploring other towns for the raising of new militia battalions under that force. And regarding who gave the order for the 3rd NY to be in Kharkiv, he responded that the order came from the desk of a fellow officer who trained with the 78th, COL Aaron Boone, their regimental commander.

"Be safe gentlemen, and good luck. The people of Kharkiv and all of Ukraine are hoping for a successful operation."

Just as the talk ended, Captain Judge arrived on his M2 Bradley with the elements of the 2 companies of 1st Battalion 3rd NY. He dismounts, and is joined by representatives of the company command, including his new company XO 1LT Kiner-Falefa appointed last March upon his transfer to the regiment, and the company first sergeant MSGT Rortvedt. 1LT Trevino is also with the 1st Battalion 78th BCT as part of those who were trained there before. Captain Frazier recognized his former fellow soldier, who was there in the Bronx with him as one of his lieutenants in the spring and summer of 2017 before moving to Queens with a transfer to the 62nd NY. The lieutenant Trevino was a part of the 61st Texas regiment which the captain was stationed for part of 2020. The captain is with elements of the company HQ and two platoons, with 1st platoon led by platoon commander 1LT Hicks, his XO 1LT Torres, a Venezuelan native who joined the regiment in the 2000s, and SSGT Rortvedt the platoon sergeant.

"Captain Judge sir!"

"Captain Frazier, sir. Belated congrats on your appointment. I was proud to be leading the men of the 3rd NY with you almost 4 years ago."

"First Lieutenant Trevino, sir. Glad you're back in the swing of things but in Eastern Europe," the first lieutenant said.

The captain answered, "I still remember being in Arlington. But the memories will stay for as long as I live, lieutenant."

The captains, after having saluted, were welcomed by the commanders of the companies of the 71st Atlanta and 83rd Philadelphia where they are as well as their XOs and first sergeants. Captain Judge was later welcomed by LTC Fenster, the 1st Battalion commanding officer, his XO, MAJ Sogard, the battalion sergeant major SGM Ronai and battalion staff. SFC Stanton of the 5th platoon of Able Company saluted his company commander in New York in the Bronx barracks, having joined the 78th's 1st Battalion this spring on transfer, because he was part of the brigade's mobilization platoon assigned twice as part of the 3rd Platoon. The captain was saluted as well by 1LT McCutchen, who was one of his officers in New York in the summer of 2018. Greeting one of his former officers in the battalion, reassigned first to Milwaukee before being recalled back to Cary, he remembered being with that battalion that year and said "Captain Judge, it's nice to see you again, but this time, welcome to Ukraine."

The captain from California was briefed by the 1st Battalion, 78th BCT commanding officer regarding the mission of their unit today, hoping that they would help in the operation that they would do together. He stated that "the 1st Battalion command sent me here with two companies of that very battalion to reinforce the 113rd Territorial Defense Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces" and that they will help it fulfill its stated objectives that day. He agreed to join the companies of the 71st Atlanta and 83rd Philadelphia for this.

While he was briefed, the rest of A and B Companies of 1st Battalion 3rd NY took up time to rest in their staging area with elements of the 1st Battalion 78th BCT, save for the 1st platoon of 43 personel who are already chatting with their counterparts in that battalion. They came from many countries, with Americans in the majority and those internationals wearing US Army uniform with their national flag patches. Among them is a Toms River native - CPL Marinaccio, who joined 1st Battalion's A Company this year after being with the battalion based in Scranton. He recognizes Captain Frazier, who is like him a resident of the town, but no longer in the uniform of the 63rd NY but of the 78th Brigade, with his national flag patch. 5 years ago, he joined the regiment after a collegiate service stinct in Delaware.

"Captain Frazier!"

Running towards the man and his company XO CPT Tulowitzki he saluted and introduced himself. "Corporal Ron Marinaccio, sir. Just like you, from Toms River in New Jersey. Fought with my regiment in Bucha and later on got moved to Kharkiv."

"Glad you came here to fight for the Ukraine. And you were among the first Americans. For me and the 78th, we were in Irpin for our first combat missions."

"A great pleasure, Captain Frazier. Fighting in the spirit of heroes of the past, I feel ready to carry on that fighting traditions of the peoples of our home state."

The captain enjoyed also talking with a long time 1LT, Kyle Higashioka, who is with the 78th's 1st Battalion this time around as part of Frazier's A Company. A graduate of UC Berkeley he too is from California like Captain Judge - but is a Japanese American. However he began as an NCO (joining the regiment, then under BG Torre, in 2007 as a Corporal) and in 2016 was commissioned thanks to his studies in the OCS, joining the 1st Battalion as a 2LT in 2017. His usual battle companion, 1LT Gerrit Cole who was also trained in Cary, is with the 1st Battalion of the 78th instead as part of B Company. However, he began with the regiment in Pittsburgh with 1LT McCutchen and another part of the 3rd NY but now recalled to the 78th Brigade, SSGT Taillion, despite having Canadian heritage in one of his parents. They talked on the experience of serving in the same regiment as now BG Girardi, now reassigned as PAO chief of the 71st Chicago. He was their former commanding officer. The lieutenant and SSGT Taillon both recognized the captain who they met during his days with the 169th Cincinnati Infantry as a platoon and later company commander.

As the conversation continued, COL Bianco arrived in a Humvee to help direct the operation. "Ten-hut" was heard as the colonel disembarked from the vehicle to meet the men and to continue monitoring the situation on the ground. The 6th platoon's commander, 1LT Payton, ran to the colonel together with his staff and SSGT Montgomery, together with LTC Fenster, LTCOL Andruw Jones whose son Drew is with the battalion, and the battalion staff present as well as SGM Ronai. All saluted the colonel, as well as the company commanders plus those of the 3 regiments who have been there that day to help that battalion. Then 1LT Payton recognized the presence of his platoon before their training officer.

"First Lieutenant Payton, sir. Elements of the 6th Platoon, Able Company of 1st Battalion, 78th IBCT, all present and accounted for. A pleasure for you to be here today."

"Lieutenant Payton", replied Colonel Bianco,"The road had been tough, but you and your boys have indeed made me proud. All that hard training has paid off, and I'm glad all of you are still here fighting for Ukraine and our freedom. Good luck today, gentlemen."

"My pleasure, colonel", the platoon commander replied.

1LT Bradfield the platoon XO and 2LT Wilson the platoon adjutant also saluted the colonel, telling him that they too are ready to fulfill their duty, having applied their training lessons and regimen in the first weeks since they and the rest of the 1st Battalion arrived in the country.

The colonel had arrived to help direct the operational work the 1st Battalion had been assigned for today, and having been briefed by LTC Fenster, MAJ Sogard and parts of battalion staff as well as its lead Ukrainian liason on reports that elements of the 1st Battalion, 1st Motor Rifle (Infantry) Regiment, Donbass People's Militia, and 2 battalions of the 200th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Northern Fleet Coastal Forces are stationed north of their area, and the 1st and 2nd Battalions have been informed by the commandant of the 113rd TDF Brigade covering Kharkiv Oblast to assist in their moving north, in gratitude for their assistance in the capture of Tsyrkuny a few days ago. The Ukrainian liason stated in the intel and situationer reports that the 200th's presence is only reinforced by a few field artillery batteries and MBTs under brigade HQ from the artillery regiment and the tank battalion, respectively, the tanks being the T-80BVMs and the artillery made up of 2S7 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers from the brigade's two artillery battalions. Their mission is to help the 113rd in its operation to remove Russians from the twin villages north of Tsyrkuny so that the whole of that township is cleared of Russians and their allies.

Upon recieving the reports, COL Bianco told everyone, "It's gonna be a long day ahead for us here. But as long as we do our best, we will drive the Russians away from the northern edges of Kharkiv, together. Mark my words, boys, this will be one of the biggest operations of this war, and General DeRosa is expecting all of us to play our part to help finish this operation. Don't spare any expense. We have a goal to do, to help Ukraine defeat Russia at all costs no matter what."

LTC Fenster replied that the battalion, together with the attached elements from other units of the brigade and the 169th Corps, is ready to fulfill their tasks for today, and will follow the right strategies needed to win the day. Then, he resumed the briefing conference informing the colonel that given the intel that in Cherkas'ki Tyshky elements of the Russian 200th Infantry Brigade and the 1st DPR Motor Rifles are stationed with more up north, given the consultations among the commanders and XOs of his subordinated units in the battalion he has agreed to implement the battle plan for the day. The colonel concurred and informed his superior officers via radio of their readiness.

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