COD Oneshots

Home (Roach)

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Y/N's cozy living room. Roach woke slowly, his senses stirring as he took in the familiar scent of her home—lavender and vanilla, with just a hint of pancakes cooking in the kitchen. He didn't move. Not yet.

From his vantage point on the couch, he had a perfect view of her. Y/N was in the kitchen, wearing one of his shirts—slightly oversized on her—and a pair of short shorts that left her legs bare. Her hair was a little messy, as though she hadn't fully woken up either, but that only made her more endearing. She was dancing and singing along to a song he couldn't quite hear, the sound of her laughter and soft voice blending with the sizzle of batter on the skillet.

Roach let his head sink back into the pillow, a smile tugging at his lips. This—this was perfection. These were the moments he dreamed about when he was out there, miles from home with the sound of gunfire and chaos surrounding him. He loved this little slice of peace, where he could let the hardened soldier fade and just be himself.

He didn't dare move. He was entirely content to stay there, watching her, the love he tried to bury so many times spilling over as he admired the way she twirled around the kitchen.

And then, as if sensing that Roach had gotten too comfortable, Peanut happened.

The giant Malamute barreled into the living room, his paws thudding against the floor like a miniature avalanche. Before Roach could even sit up, the massive dog leaped onto the couch, landing squarely on top of him.

"Oof—!" Roach wheezed, his breath leaving him in a rush as the dog pinned him down, a warm and furry weight that barked exuberantly at the window.

"Peanut!" Y/N's voice rang out, a mix of amusement and exasperation as she hurried into the room.

Roach tried to push the dog off, but Peanut was having none of it. The Malamute turned his head, slobbering affectionately on Roach's face before barking again. Roach groaned, feeling completely defeated but laughing despite himself.

"Peanut, off! Come on, you big lug!" Y/N grabbed the dog's collar, gently tugging him away from Roach. The mischievous Malamute relented, hopping down and trotting back toward the window as if nothing had happened.

When Y/N turned back to Roach, her expression was pure mischief. Her lips twitched as she tried to suppress her laughter, but it was no use.

"I'm so sorry," she managed between giggles, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Roach propped himself up on his elbows, still catching his breath. "Sure you are," he teased, a lopsided grin on his face.

Y/N bit her lip, clearly failing to hold back more laughter. "Hey, if it's any consolation, he's only like that with you."

"Oh, I feel so special," Roach replied, rolling his eyes dramatically before standing. He brushed off the imaginary dog fur and gave Peanut, now lounging contentedly by the window, a mock glare.

Y/N tilted her head, her laughter finally subsiding into a soft, affectionate smile. "You are special, you know."

The words hit him harder than he expected. For a moment, Roach just looked at her, standing there in his shirt with that radiant smile. He had spent years trying to ignore what he felt for her, chalking it up to the life he lived and the impossibility of dragging someone like Y/N into it. But right now, as she stood there looking at him like he was the most important person in the world, he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep pretending.

"You know," he said, his voice quiet but steady, "if Peanut keeps trying to flatten me, I might have to start coming here less."

Y/N snorted, crossing her arms. "Oh, please. You'd miss me too much."