Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Rating: G
Warning: None
Pairing: None
Description: Nikolai and Price find Jamie sleeping in the common room.
@comfy-vember;
Day 4: Sleeping on the couch
Day 5: Cool cloth
Jamie lies on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, watching TV. Hoping no one walks in and sees her watching The Fairly OddParents. Not looking forward to the team laughing at her watching a kids’ show she still likes.
An hour passes. Nikolai and Price walk into the room. They see the kids’ show on the TV before noticing Jamie asleep on the couch.
Price turns the TV off.
“Price, she’s warm.”
Price feels Jamie’s forehead. It’s clear Jamie is sick, but the two want to know how ill she is. Price leaves the room. Nikolai fixes the blankets.
“A low-grade fever,” Price says. “A cold that’s kicking her ass. Leave her alone.”
The captain leaves the room once again. Nikolai sits on the couch beside Jamie, grabbing the book he left on the coffee table. His focus shifts to Price once he returns.
“This should help her while she sleeps.”
Price places a cool cloth on Jamie’s forehead.
“I’ll stay here.”
Price nods and leaves the room to return to his office. Nikolai goes back to reading, ready to tell anyone who walks in to be quiet.
Genre: Fanfiction
Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Transformers (Bayverse)
Rating: G
Warning: None
Pairing: None
Description: The team learns that Layla's birthday has passed, but they want to celebrate.
@comfy-vember;
Day 14: Surprise party
Day 15: Favourite TV show
Day 16: Talking at night
Day 28: Washing dishes together
Day 30: Homemade cake
Under the cut
Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Jamie, Layla, Nikolai, Rodolfo, and Soap question why Laswell and Price called them for a meeting after dinner. They both knew the others wouldn’t understand the reason for the meeting at this hour.
Price informed the ten that they would visit Cade and Vivian this weekend, surprising them. They thought it would be months before they returned to the house.
“Of course, this isn’t easy to plan,” Price says. It won’t happen each weekend; it’s been quiet.”
Everyone is glad to be returning to the house. Price, aware of the weekend’s plan, smiles but remains silent. Only Laswell knows the plan for the weekend.
“Here,” she says, handing Price a wrapped box.
Price smiles before hurrying to his room.
On Friday, everyone awakens at six. They put their bags in the van and get breakfast. This time, Price doesn’t worry about what time they leave. While eating, Price thinks of the right time to tell Alex, Alejandro, Farah, Gaz, Ghost, Jamie, Nikolai, Rodolfo, and Soap part of why they’re back at Cade and Vivian’s house for the weekend. He’ll inform them tonight so they can all go into town tomorrow.
Once at the house, everyone put their bags in their chosen rooms. Price talks to Cade and Vivian about the plan. Cogman agrees to distract Layla after dinner so Price can discuss the plan with the others.
“You sure she’ll be ok?” Cade asks.
“Yes, she knows everyone and feels safe.”
“I’m uncertain she can handle surprises, but if you say so.”
Layla doesn’t question why Cogman needs her help washing dishes because of the large number of dishes. She knows it all won’t fit in the dishwasher.
“Ok, something is up,” Soap says. “We just met Cogman last weekend, but he made it clear he doesn’t like humans helping him clean.”
“Because Layla can’t be part of the conversation,” Price says. The others understand that this involves her. “Laswell found out when Layla’s birthday is. We missed it by two months. September fifteenth. While she was in a poor mental state to celebrate, I think she’ll be ok now with a surprise party.”
Uncertainty prevails among the group, echoing Cade’s perspective; however, they recognize Price’s careful approach toward Layla. Next, they talk about keeping Layla busy.
“I can do that,” Soap says. “I can keep her busy in the game room, or outside.”
“Good,” Price says. “Cogman can make the cake overnight. She won’t have any idea.” The Cybertronian butler nods. “An hour should prove sufficient time to set up.”
Everyone figured Price wouldn’t want to do much in terms of party fun. He wants to keep it simple. Dinner, cake, and TV. Playing games, if Layla wants to.
The discussion ends as Cogman and Layla return to the dining room.
While the discussion last night talked about keeping Layla busy while everyone sets up for the party, Soap knows Layla isn’t ready to go out in public. Layla is unhappy about everyone going to town. Soap stays behind. He asks Ghost to pick out something for Layla, trusting that Ghost would know what he’d get for her. Everyone knows Layla needs to learn to be comfortable in public, but that’s difficult for a hybrid with dog ears and a tail. Soap leads Layla inside the house while the rest of the 141 get into the van. They discussed ways to help Layla feel safe while in public. They know it won’t be easy, especially in the summer. Thinking about how to hide her tail is easy, though they know their ideas might not be successful. The challenge is figuring out how to hide Layla’s ears without causing pain.
While the others are out, Soap and Layla watch a movie. Soap didn’t think she’d choose to shift into her dog form and rest her head on his lap. He’s uncertain if this action is ok. The team doesn’t want her treated like a pet, yet she must accept her dog DNA.
He can’t resist scratching her ears, smiling as she wags her tail. Soon, Layla falls asleep. Soap continues to pat her while watching the movie.
The rest of the team returns an hour later. Everyone but Price goes upstairs to wrap what they got for Layla.
Price walks into the theater room, smiling as he sees Layla asleep.
“She didn’t like my movie choice,” Soap comments as Price sits beside Layla. “I don’t know if I should be happy she shifted. I worry she thinks she’s only worth being a pet.”
“It’s hard to say. This is the first time she’s shifted since we rescued her, so we could argue it’s by choice, but she could also think she’s only a pet. It’s too soon to come to conclusions. We need to observe her behavior.”
Silence settled upon them. Both worry about Layla’s thoughts.
Soap and Price don’t tell the others their concern as they watch Layla at dinner. Layla is happy to be with everyone, even new friends Cade and Vivian. Everyone is pleased with the progress she’s made since the team rescued her. After dinner, Price lies and tells Layla he needs to talk to the rest of the team about something important, but Soap will go with her.
“Ghost can fill me in,” Soap says, before Layla points out how this makes little sense.
Cade and Vivian leave the dining room, acting like they’re going to the kitchen to clean with Cogman. Once Layla and Soap go upstairs, everyone goes to the theater room.
Soap spends the next hour teaching Layla how to play foosball until he gets a text from Price.
Soap instructs Layla to close her eyes when they reach the main floor. Layla questions what he’s up to, but does as he asks. Soap takes her hand and leads her down the hall to the theater room.
Soap gives the door a single knock and enters. Layla opens her eyes, seeing the room set up for a party.
“Surprise,” Soap smiles.
“Laswell found out when your birthday is, and we couldn’t ignore that we missed it,” Price explains. “I didn’t think Cade and Vivian would let us return for another weekend when I told him.”
“Oh, come on, you’re all welcome here,” Vivian argues.
“How long before she regrets that?” Gaz asks, joking.
“Hey, the Autobots are welcome whenever, and it’s been fine so far,” Cade adds.
The conversation ends as Soap leads Layla to the couch. On the coffee table is a pile of presents and a cake.
“We don’t know what kind of cake you like, so Cogman made vanilla,” Soap says.
It’s hard to watch Price ask Layla if she’ll be ok with candles, but everyone knows scientists burned Layla, and fire may terrify her. Cogman shows her the candles that’ll be lit. A two and a five reflecting her age. Layla claims she’ll be ok, but everyone still worries. The candles are lit. As everyone sings Happy Birthday, Cogman holds the cake, ready to get it out of view if Layla panics.
Everyone is relieved that Layla did well with the candles, but they hate that she’s a young adult with trauma resulting in many fears. Cogman cuts the cake. Everyone sits on the U-shaped sectional. When Price asks Layla what she wants to watch, they don’t expect her to say The Fairly OddParents, or for Jamie to look embarrassed.
“Uh, yeah, she’s been watching TV with me,” Jamie explains.
No one says a word as Price turns on the show. Some within the group express annoyance, while others do not. Jamie hates that everyone now knows she still likes some kids’ shows.
After one episode of the show, Price turns off the TV, declaring it is time for presents. Most of the gifts are clothes. Layla isn’t mad about getting clothes. She knows she doesn’t have much. Laswell gave her a few articles of clothing. The clothes the friends bought are simple. Solid color shirts and leans. Farah got Layla a couple of pajama sets. Price surprised everyone by buying a necklace. A simple pendant on a silver chain. Price explains he tried to find something that represents friendship in the limited time he had. Layla hugs him and puts the necklace on.
The party moves to the game room, as Pirce suspected would happen. Everyone has fun playing games. Happy Layla enjoyed celebrating her birthday.
Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Transformers (Bayverse)
Rating: G
Warning: None
Pairing: None
Description: Layla wants a haircut
@comfy-vember; Day 10: Cutting hair
Under the cut
Layla looks in the mirror at her long hair. Her hair looks healthy now, but she’s tiring of how long it is. Her hair remained uncut during her confinement within the lab. Now, her hair reaches her lower back. She wants a haircut. Layla knows she won’t be able to give herself a haircut, and she’s not ready to go out in public.
Everyone supports Layla’s desire for shorter hair. Price is concerned about how short she wants her hair to be. Uncertain if she can handle a big change.
“He has a good point,” Vivian says. “You’re still recovering from trauma, and while a haircut doesn’t seem connected, I think it’s wise to start small.”
Layla doesn’t believe her, but agrees. Her hair is twenty-two inches long. Cogman will cut two inches. If she’s ok with this change, Price will cut two more inches in two weeks. Price and Vivian watch for signs of distress. Worried that her mind will drift to memories of her time in the lab in the five minutes it takes Cogman to cut two inches of hair.
To Layla, two inches doesn’t seem like much. She wants more cut, but Price and Vivian insist she still wait. Layla sighs, annoyed. She doesn’t argue with Price and Vivian. Layla goes to take a shower.
“She seems ok,” Cogman points out.
“For now. You know what could happen,” Vivian says. “It’s possible she’ll think the scientists cut her hair when she looks in the mirror. Forgetting where she is.”
“I think it’ll be alright to cut a small amount each day.”
Pricer and Vivian worry about causing Layla to panic, but believe Cogman could be right.
Genre: Fanfiction
Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Rating: G
Warning: None
Pairing: None
Description: Layla reveals how she ended up as an experiment. Continued from this.
Well, not exactly what one would expect for a prompt fill for a comfort event.
@comfy-vember;
Day 8: Blue sky
Day 9: Sharing secrets
Under the cut
After a nice dinner and a variety of desserts, Jamie and Layla walk along a path in the woods. Jamie takes Layla to the river to see the duck family that lives there. The two sit on the large boulder, basking in the sunlight. The ducks ignore the two women and continue swimming in the river.
Layla looks up at the blue sky, still finding it hard to believe she’s out of the lab. Still struggling to accept that she’s part dog. Aside from having a tail and German Shepard ears, Layla could ignore this part of her. She could refuse to shift into a dog forever.
“My parents agreed to the experimenting,” Layla blurts out.
“What?” Jamie asks, Shocked.
Layla nods. “Yes, my dad works at the lab. He’s the one who started the project. Maybe I influenced him because I was reading stories about hybrids.”
“You need to tell the others. This matters for your healing, and for the case against the lab.”
The conversation ends. Jamie is unsure whether to make Layla tell Price or let Layla decide. Layla looks up at the blue sky, uncertain of what to do.
A few hours later, Price finds Layla on the balcony. He can tell she didn’t come up to enjoy the view.
As he gets closer, Price can confirm that something is troubling her. He is gentle as he encourages her to tell him what’s troubling her. After some coaxing, Layla tells Price what she said to Jamie. Price can’t believe what he’s hearing. Though he’s angry at Layla’s father, he knows why she waited to tell him what she told him. Price takes Layla to the room he’s staying in.
Layla and Price sit on the bed. While Price needs to tell Laswell what Layla told him, he’s focused on getting Layla to understand that this wasn’t her fault. That she didn’t influence her father by reading books about hybrids. Price is aware that Layla needs time to understand this. Price knows the other members of 141 must be informed so they can help her overcome this trauma and embrace herself.
Fandom: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Rating: G
Warning: None
Pairing: None
Description: Soap reads the letters Gaz, Ghost, Jamie, and Price wrote him. Continued from The Weight of What's Forgotten.
@comfy-vember; Day 6: Heartfelt letter
Under the cut
The room is silent as Soap debates whether to read the letters and the book he was told is his journal.
Uncertain if he can trust the four people who claim to be his friends.
In the quiet room, Soap is contemplating reading the letters and his journal. Uncertain if he can trust the four people who claim to be his friends.
As Soap reads the four letters once, he feels something. He reread the letters, but this feeling didn't become clear. The letters are heartfelt and full of memories. Each letter has distinct memories of times together. Soap knows letters can give off false impressions, but something in these letters tells him this isn't a trick. Still, he cannot recall these individuals.
A couple of hours pass. The hospital social worker walks into the room with someone else.
The other person, a hospital psychiatrist, hopes to help Soap regain his memories.
They tell Soap that if he still has amnesia after leaving the hospital, they might refer his case to a new psychiatrist.
"What do you think about these letters?" The psychiatrist asks.
"I feel like they weren't lying in their letters, but I can't remember them. I don't know who Simon "Ghost" Riley, Kyle "Gaz" Garrick, John Price, or Jamie are. I feel I can trust them."
"This is a promising start," the psychiatrist says. "They have told us that this journal is yours. Perhaps it'll help you get closer to remembering."
The social worker and psychiatrist wait as Soap looks through the journal, reading what he must have written, things he's doodled but can't remember. On every page that mentions the four people, Soap feels like he knows these people. He still struggles to recall memories.
"Here, write something on this piece of paper," the social worker says. Confused, Soap does as instructed. "Notice the match with the journal's handwriting. You know them, but it'll take time to remember."
"I believe it won't take too long with the progress already made, the psychiatrist adds. "I'm going to ask if they have photos to show you."
The social worker agrees with the idea. They both suggest that Soap reread the letters and look through the journal. While repetitive, this can help him. The two leave the room. Soap looks at the journal and letters, struggling to recall any memories.
