Call of duty one shots

The soft light of dawn spilled through the bedroom window, illuminating the room where Y/N had spent nearly a decade building a life with her husband, Simon "Ghost" Riley. His absence left a palpable silence behind, the kind that stretched across the room and filled the corners with tension. Their four children had already been fed and dressed, and though the chaos that often accompanied mornings was on the verge of spilling over, there was an undercurrent of unease in the air.

It had been weeks since Simon had come home in good spirits. The door would creak open to reveal a man transformed: his uniform reeking of alcohol, his face drawn tight with unexpressed anger. Y/N felt her heart ache at the sight. She had once known Simon as a man of strength and stability, but now the shadows of something unnamable clung to him like a shroud, tainting his love with anger and distance.

Y/N placed her hands on her swollen belly, feeling the gentle kicks of their unborn child. "Not today," she whispered to herself, willing away the knots of anxiety that formed deep within her. She needed a moment to think, to breathe away from the chaos of the house, and perhaps, just perhaps, away from the man she loved who seemed to be slipping further from her grasp.

After a quick kiss to each of her children and a whispered promise to return soon, Y/N stepped out into the crisp morning air. The nearby café buzzed with life, the rich aroma of coffee swirling with the chatter of patrons. As she entered, she felt a weight lift slightly; it wasn't much, but it was a respite from the turmoil waiting at home.

Seated in a quiet corner, Y/N ordered her tea, letting the warmth of the cup seep into her hands. A few moments later, she noticed a familiar figure entering the café. Ace, a friend from Simon's high school days, stood there scanning the room. Their eyes met, and for a moment, time stood still. Ace had changed, of course; he was older, wiser perhaps, but the warmth in his smile still felt like home.

"Y/N?" he said, confusion falling away into recognition. "What a surprise!"

"Ace," she replied, standing to greet him. "It's been… a long time."

They fell into conversation easily, sharing stories about their lives since high school, laughing about old memories and the shenanigans of their youth. Y/N felt comfort settle in her chest, driving away the fatigue that had been taking up residence in her mind.

"I can't believe you have four kids now," Ace exclaimed, eyes widening in disbelief. "And one more on the way? Wow. You're busy!"

"Yeah," Y/N chuckled, a lightness in her voice that felt foreign, like a forgotten song. "It's chaos, but it's our chaos."

Ace leaned in, a serious expression overtaking his features. "How's it going with Simon?" he asked gently, concern lacing his words.

Y/N hesitated, a pang of guilt piercing her heart as the image of her husband flickered across her mind. "It's… complicated. He's been—"

"Angry?" Ace finished for her, and she nodded slowly, the truth spilling out in the form of quiet tears.

"I don't know what's wrong with him. It's like he's a stranger. I'm worried that maybe he's... he's lost somewhere."

"You deserve better than suffering in silence," Ace said softly, reaching across the table to grasp her hand. "You're not alone in this."

Y/N felt a warmth bloom from within at his words, fighting back another wave of tears. "It's just so hard." The confession fell from her lips like a half-buried secret.

Ace leaned closer, his voice low. "You're strong, Y/N. You've built a life together, but it's okay to seek help. Have you tried talking to him?"

"I've tried, but he shuts down. I don't even know if I want to know what's going on in his mind anymore," she admitted, a tremor in her voice. "I just want my family to be happy again."

"You still care for him, don't you?" Ace asked, his eyes searching hers.

"I do," she replied, her heart aching. "But I don't know how to reach him."

After an hour, the conversation slowly shifted to lighter topics. They talked about books, movies, and how Ace was still managing to avoid settling down. Yet, through every laugh shared, the shadows of her feelings lingered, reminding her of the delicate balance she was living on.

As Y/N prepared to leave, a sense of clarity washed over her. The weight of worry hadn't lifted entirely, but it felt a little less crushing. "Thanks, Ace," she said genuinely. "You really helped today."

"Anytime. I mean it, Y/N. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here," he replied earnestly.

With a heart slightly lighter, Y/N returned home to her children, the familiar buzz and chaos welcoming her back. As she nestled with them on the couch, she felt determined. She would find a way to reach Simon, to pull him back from whatever dark place was consuming him. Love, she reminded herself, had the power to heal.

But she would also remember that in the midst of shadows, there could always be flickers of light—whether from the laughter of children or the unexpected comfort found in old friends. And for the first time in what felt like weeks, Y/N allowed herself to hold onto hope.