COD Oneshots

Bet (John Price)

John Price wasn't the type to back down from a challenge, whether it was on the battlefield or in a dimly lit bar after a few rounds of drinks with his team. As a seasoned soldier, he was used to adrenaline-fueled missions and high-stakes situations. Yet tonight, the challenge was of a different sort, one that caught him off guard.

Amidst the chatter and laughter of his comrades, John's attention was unexpectedly drawn to someone across the room. Y/N stood out from the crowd, her presence commanding yet understated, a quiet confidence exuding from her every move. For a moment, John forgot where he was and what he was doing. His friends noticed immediately, their teasing glances and nudges making it clear they weren't going to let this opportunity pass without stirring up some trouble.

"Price, you see that beauty over there?" Gaz, one of his closest teammates, whispered with a mischievous grin. "I dare you to go up to her and work your magic. Bring her back here with us."

John chuckled softly, shaking his head as he tried to brush off the challenge. "Come on, lads. I've had enough action for tonight."

But his friends weren't about to let him off the hook so easily. Soap, always the instigator, added fuel to the fire. "Oh, come on, Price. What's the matter, losing your touch? We all know you've got a way with the ladies."

John sighed, taking another sip of his drink and stealing glances at Y/N, who seemed oblivious to the commotion she was causing among the soldiers. Finally, egged on by his teammates' persistent teasing and perhaps a touch of liquid courage, John straightened up and made his way across the room.

As he approached her, he felt the weight of the dare heavy on his shoulders. "Excuse me," he began, his voice steady despite the nerves creeping in, "mind if I join you for a moment?"

Y/N looked up, her eyes meeting his with a hint of curiosity. She raised an eyebrow, clearly not accustomed to such direct approaches. "Sure, go ahead."

John fumbled for a moment, resorting to a cheesy pickup line that earned him an amused smirk but no real response. Undeterred, he abandoned the pretense and decided to be straightforward. "I'm sorry for the approach. My friends over there dared me to come talk to you. Truth is, I couldn't take my eyes off you since I walked in."

Y/N studied him for a moment, sensing sincerity beneath his soldier's facade. "So, this is all just a bet to you?"

John hesitated, searching her eyes. "It started that way, but now... I'd like to get to know you for real."

Y/N regarded him with a mixture of skepticism and intrigue. She wasn't one to fall for empty flattery or bravado. But there was something about John's honesty that struck a chord. "Tell you what," she finally said, a playful glint in her eyes, "if you can convince me that you're more than just a soldier looking for a conquest, maybe we can renegotiate your bet with your friends."

John smiled, relieved that she was giving him a chance. Over the next hour, they talked about everything from their passions and dreams to their fears and past experiences. John shared stories of his missions, the adrenaline rushes, and the quieter moments of introspection that came with his line of work. Y/N listened attentively, offering insights of her own and gradually warming up to the man behind the soldier.

By the end of the night, the initial bet and the teasing from his friends had become irrelevant. John and Y/N stood outside the bar, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the warmth they felt in each other's company. "So," John started tentatively, "does this mean I've won you over?"

Y/N chuckled softly, her hand finding his. "You might just have," she admitted, leaning in closer. "But let's make one thing clear: I don't go home with just anyone."

John nodded, understanding the unspoken agreement between them. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

And as they walked away together, leaving behind the noise and the bets, John Price knew that this challenge, unlike any other he had faced, had led him to something worth far more than any victory on the battlefield — a chance at real connection, sparked by a daring move and fueled by genuine honesty.