Valentines (The Team)

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Y/N was still fairly new to Task Force 141, having only joined a few months prior. Despite the tough and sometimes intense atmosphere, she'd quickly formed friendships with everyone. She was tough when she needed to be and could handle herself in the field, but she also had a lightness about her that the guys weren't used to. The camaraderie was palpable, and even Ghost, with his cold demeanor and haunting mask, had slowly started warming up to her. It wasn't much, but the small gestures—an occasional nod or brief words of encouragement—spoke volumes to her. She knew she was making her place within the team.

Today, however, felt different. It was February 14th, Valentine's Day, and despite the chaos of their unpredictable and often dangerous lives, Y/N couldn't help but want to do something nice for the team. She knew how rare it was for any of them to have someone special, especially with the nature of their work. But that didn't mean they didn't deserve some recognition.

Y/N had spent the last couple of days baking cookies, pouring a bit of extra care into each one. She had also picked up small bottles of alcohol, something she knew each team member would appreciate, whether they wanted to unwind after a long day or share a drink with a teammate. She carefully packed the cookies into small clear bags, tied them off with bright red bows, and nestled the bottles beside them. The cookies were decorated simply but with a lot of heart—tiny heart shapes in icing, red and white sprinkles. It was a small gesture, but she hoped it would mean something.

As the day went on, Y/N could feel a mix of anticipation and a bit of hesitation. She wasn't expecting anything in return, but it still stung a little to think that, like always, she wouldn't have someone to share the day with. She brushed off the thought as best she could. Today wasn't about her—it was about them.

By late afternoon, she made her way to the common room where the guys were gathered, chatting over drinks, discussing the usual missions. When they saw her walk in, carrying the bag of treats, the room fell into a brief, curious silence.

"Hey, what's this?" Price asked, his gruff voice always bringing an air of authority, but his eyes twinkled in surprise.

"I made you all cookies," Y/N said with a grin, setting the bag on the table. "Happy Valentine's Day."

The guys blinked, clearly caught off guard. Soap was the first to break into a grin, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You baked cookies?" Soap chuckled, his Scottish accent thick with amusement. "You're a bloody miracle."

"Not a miracle," she said with a wink. "Just some cookies. And a little something extra." She handed out the small bottles of alcohol to each of them, taking care to make sure everyone got one.

"Wait, is this...?" Gaz began, looking at the bottle in his hand, then at her. "For us?"

"Yup. I know it's not much, but figured you all could use a little something today. I wanted to do something nice." Her voice softened just a bit.

They all exchanged looks, unsure of how to process the unexpected kindness. But then, Ghost—silent as ever—finally spoke up.

"Thanks," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, but it was enough to make Y/N's heart swell. Even though it wasn't much, she could tell that the gesture meant something to them.

"You're all welcome," Y/N said, trying to keep the lump in her throat at bay. She had expected them to appreciate it, but seeing their smiles—genuine and appreciative—made her day.

Price opened the bag with the cookies and took a bite, nodding in approval. "These are good," he said with a half-smile. "You're a damn good baker, Y/N."

She laughed softly, feeling the warmth of their gratitude settle in her chest. For a brief moment, she forgot all about her own thoughts of being alone on Valentine's Day. It wasn't about her; it was about them, and seeing them enjoy the little surprise made everything worth it.

Soap raised his bottle. "To Y/N, the best surprise of the day."

The rest of the team followed suit, clinking their bottles together. Ghost didn't raise his bottle, but Y/N caught his eye—his mask slightly shifted, and for just a moment, she saw the flicker of something in his eyes.

And that was enough.

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Y/N was curled up in one of the armchairs in the common room, the soft light from the lamps casting a warm glow over her as she read her book. The hustle and bustle of the day had settled into a peaceful quiet, the team having gone off to do their own thing. Soap had disappeared into the gym, Gaz had gone to call home, and Ghost... well, Ghost was probably off in his usual spot, staying out of sight. Y/N had been content with her book, the stillness of the evening settling over her.

But then the door to the common room creaked open, and Y/N glanced up, expecting just one of the guys to stroll in. Instead, all of them—Price, Ghost, Soap, and Gaz—walked in together, causing her to blink in surprise.

Price stepped forward, a familiar smirk playing at the corner of his mouth as he held something behind his back. "We're not done yet, Y/N," he said, his voice warm with amusement.

Y/N tilted her head, a little confused. "Done with what?"

Price reached behind him and revealed a bouquet of flowers, a mix of soft pinks and reds, with a delicate ribbon tied around the stems. "From the whole team," he said, his tone a bit more serious now, though still warm.

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise. "What? You—" Her words faltered as she blinked, not quite sure if she was dreaming or if this was really happening.

"Y/N," Soap's voice came from the back of the group, quiet but with an unusual warmth to it. "You've done enough for us. Thought it was time we showed you we appreciate you too."

Y/N felt her chest tighten, her breath catching in her throat. It wasn't the flowers—though she loved them—but the sentiment behind it. These men, who didn't express much outside of their work, had all come together for this. For her.

She stood slowly, feeling a wave of emotion she didn't quite know how to handle. "I didn't expect this... you didn't have to." Her voice cracked just a little, despite her best efforts to keep it steady.

Soap, who had been standing next to Gaz, gave her a teasing grin. "You deserve it, lass. You've been nothing but kind to us since you joined, and that's rare to come by. Don't think we don't notice."

Gaz gave a soft chuckle and added, "Not to mention, you made us cookies. Who does that for a bunch of grumpy soldiers?"

Y/N couldn't help but smile at the playful teasing, but the gesture—the fact that they'd come together like this—was a bigger surprise than she could have imagined. She took the flowers from Price, her fingers brushing his, and felt a genuine warmth flood through her.

"Thank you," she said, her voice a little shaky but full of gratitude. "This means a lot to me. Really."

Price gave a small nod. "You've earned it. You're part of this team now."

As they all stood there, Y/N realized something—something deeper than just a kind gesture or a surprise. The Task Force 141 wasn't just a group of soldiers. They were a family in their own way. And today, even with all the chaos, the danger, and the unpredictability of their lives, they had come together to make her feel seen, appreciated, and valued.

Ghost, who had been standing in the back with his usual silence, gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. It wasn't much, but it was enough to tell her that, despite his cold exterior, he did care. And for someone who had spent most of her life never feeling like she quite belonged, this was a moment that would stay with her forever.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Y/N," Price said softly, his voice carrying the warmth of their bond.

Y/N took a deep breath, the emotions swirling inside her. "Happy Valentine's Day, everyone," she replied, her smile wide, the flowers in her hand a small symbol of the family she'd found among them.

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