COD Oneshots

Once (Gaz)

*This is a sad one. Sorry!!

The air in the dressing room was thick with the scent of roses and vanilla, the gentle hum of distant music filtering through the walls. Y/N sat before the mirror, adjusting her earrings, the delicate lace of her wedding dress draping elegantly over her shoulders. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. And yet, as she stared at her reflection, there was a dull ache in her chest—one she had been trying to ignore.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, expecting one of the bridesmaids.

Instead, it was him.

Gaz.

She had invited the whole Task Force, of course. They were her second family. They had been through hell and back together, and she couldn't imagine this day without them. But she hadn't expected him to come alone.

He stepped inside, looking as put together as ever in a crisp suit, though his usual easygoing smile was absent. His dark eyes roamed over her, taking in the way the soft glow of the room made her look almost ethereal.

"You look beautiful, Lass." His voice was quiet, sincere. But there was something else beneath it—something heavier.

Y/N offered a small smile, but she couldn't quite meet his gaze for long. She turned back to the mirror, picking up a tube of lipstick, her hands suddenly feeling unsteady.

The silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant sounds of the wedding preparations. Gaz stood still, hands in his pockets, watching her.

And then, after what felt like forever, he finally spoke.

"I never stood a chance, did I, Lass?"

The words were soft, but they hit like a hammer, knocking the breath from her lungs. Y/N's hand faltered, and she placed the lipstick down with a carefulness that felt forced. Slowly, she turned to look at him.

"That's the sad part," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "You did once."

Gaz's jaw tensed, but he said nothing. His eyes—God, those eyes—searched hers, as if looking for something, anything, that could change this moment. But it was too late. Too many missed chances. Too many times they had let timing, duty, and unspoken words get in the way.

Before either of them could say more, there was another knock at the door.

Y/N's father stood there, his expression warm, filled with love and pride. "It's time, sweetheart."

She swallowed, turning back to Gaz one last time. There was a flicker of something in his gaze—regret, longing, acceptance.

And then, just like that, the moment was over.

She nodded, forcing a smile before taking her father's arm. As she stepped past Gaz and out the door, she didn't look back.

Because if she did, she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep walking.