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Rain poured down gradually harsher on a rare uneventful night at the base. The pounding of heavy water droplets could be heard all over, grey clouds slowly blending into the darkening sky as the hours went by. It was time for a smoke break (a break from doing not much else really). The air was significantly cooler as you stepped outside, reaching the point where your breath was visible. As comfortable as you could be, you scooted close to the walls to evade the pouring water and lit a cigarette hanging loosely from your mouth, inhaling slowly.
Not much else was going on today on the base, obviously, everyone seemingly occupying themselves in their room to their liking. Soap or Kyle occasionally dropping by, exchanging a few words or silly jokes before retreating. Some more company wouldn't hurt on a day like this when you're left to your thoughts for longer periods than you could handle.
That's why when you noticed a small figure approaching you from your peripherals, you turned in interest hoping for a bit of company again. It was a little calico cat, seemingly around 8-9 weeks old, taking slow steps towards you, the poor thing's fur drenched in water. Only when you made eye contact with the kitten did it start meowing loudly.
"Ooh, you poor baby are you cold?" The cigarette dropped quickly, and lowering to the kitty's level as much as you could, you took a few steps towards the little cat. With the baby voice you were speaking, you bet your teammates wouldn't even recognize you. It didn't seem too frightened, but then again the poor thing seemed to be barely standing, its little body shaking at the cold temperature.
"Oh shit, I'll warm you up okay?" It didn't budge as you hastily take your hoodie off, hung over one arm before you finally decide to risk picking the kitten up with the other, gently placing it down your lap, still squatting. The little furball doesn't resist as you wrap the soft black hoodie loosely around it. With the kitty safe and secured, you quietly enter the base once again, hoping no one is lurking about.
"How the hell did you get here kitty? Where could your mom be...?" You thought out loud while navigating the dimly lit halls, hoping to stop later by the small kitchen area to prepare something edible for the little cat. Your focus was on getting her dry and warm though. Thankfully, you didn't run into anyone on your way back to your room. Procuring the fluffiest (and clean) towel you could, you unwrapped the feline on the bed, before wrapping her right back in the soft fabric, drying the fur in slow and gentle motions, even resulting in soft purrs.
"You're lookin' much better now, ain't that right?" you spoke as you scratch the animal's soft-furred head gently.
"You stay right here and I'll get you something to eat, you got that Private?" The cat kept on purring, seemingly safe and sound enough, for now, to be left alone for a few minutes. You hoped no one came looking for you in these later hours now and be welcomed by another whole living breathing being that wasn't you in your room.
The kitchen area was still barren thankfully, and you deemed it safe to prepare some scrambled eggs, having learned some time ago that milk wasn't actually that great for cats to consume. It didn't take long thankfully, and with the eggs on a small little plate for the kitty, you powerwalked back to the safety of your own space.
"Hey, ______!"
Fuck!
Slowly turning around, you could see Kyle just barely step into your room uninvited. Literally any other time you wouldn't have minded, since he was used to you doing the same pretty much every other day. Goddamnit.
Of course, he noticed the hesitation in your movements and was further puzzled by the small portion of scrambled eggs held in your hand because of course he would.
"What's with the egg?"
"Is that what you came here to ask me?"
"Uh, no, I just think I left my charger in here, will you let me look?"
"You know where you left it?"
"I dunno man, on the bed? Or the bedside drawer, will you just let me look?" he asked, you could sense a little impatience in his voice as he did. His attention quickly snapped downwards though, as he felt a small tug of something at the leg of his pants. That's exactly when you noticed your little rescue cat was not on the bed anymore.
The look on Kyle's face told you everything... He was not impressed, to say the least. That's why it was a pleasant surprise to see him gently pick up the kitty. That didn't mean he liked you bringing it in here, you knew that all too well...
"What is this?"
"...Uh, a cat..?"
"I know it's a damn cat, how and why is it in here?"
"...I brought 'em in here, duh. Okay Gaz I wasn't gonna let the thing out in the pouring rain, what was I supposed to do?"
That one got him. He didn't seem to want to continue arguing, so funnily enough he just started babying the kitten in his arms along with you in silence. It was quickly back to purring loudly from the affection.
"Did y'know... calico cats are almost always female?" Kyle shares unexpectedly while bundling back the kitten into the towel, all three of you sitting back on the bed. She seemed to be on the brink of sleep now in the midst of all the pampering.
"Wha? How'd you know that?"
"Just a lil' fun fact..." he replied with a smirk. "So seriously, do you actually plan on keeping 'er here? What about when we're sent off to god knows where in a matter of days?"
He has a point... somberly feeding the kitten bits and pieces of scrambled egg, you come up empty on that front.
"But Kyleeeeeeee, she's so cute! I'll just... ask around first or something..." you stated as the kitty was scooped in your arms once again.
"I'm going to name her... Kyle MacTavish Riley Price."
"Pfttt no you won't..." Kyle protested lazily at the name.
"Fine, you will not be part of her name then."
"Dude, seriously you can't keep her in here for long... just wait 'til someone tells Price..." He said in finality, arms now crossed, eyes still on the undeniably cute kitten though.
"Pssht, what's he gonna do?"
"Who tells me what?"
At the voice of a new person in your room, you tried to hide the little furball behind yourself as delicately as possible, hoping the cat was not seen.
Fuck. Kyle didn't close the door.
In peeked Price, with a questioning look on his face, but seemingly in a good mood as of now at least. Of course, the way you quickly swiveled with arms behind your back didn't escape him, it was not very subtle. You knew there was no way around it now.
"What's with the hiding Sergeant?" He inquired, head raised towards you in a suspicious nod.
"I-uh--"
"You better not lie." His voice was now serious, audibly so, as if he was giving out orders on the field.
As if the tension couldn't climb higher, a soft 'meow' was heard, and of course, Price immediately knew before your hands presented the little creature to him. Head hung, knowing the jig was up, the kitty was now held out towards him. You couldn't deny, you were a little curious to see the captain's reaction, barely hiding a smile while glancing up at him.
His eyes widened momentarily, then a hand raised to pinch the bridge of his nose in that usual disapproving way of his.
"Kid... do I even hafta tell you?" Pose mirroring Kyle's, who still stood next to you, Price crossed his arms in a mildly-annoyed dad manner.
"...Pet ownership-"
"Pet ownership in quarters is forbidden. So explain to me what this is."
"Dad-" Kyle snickered "I mean captain, it's goddamn pouring outside, and this little thing just walked up to me soaked to the bone, I couldn't possibly just leave her out there, could I? ...We could make her our mascot?"
"We don't need a mascot. We're a task force, not a damn sports team." He eyed the little cat, now held securely to your chest wrapped in the fluffy towel. He was your captain first and foremost, but not a heartless one...
"Just... let me take care of her 'til I find her a home? Could Laswell take her?"
"Laswell's not gonna come down here for a cat of all things!" His voice raised now, almost laughing at the suggestion. At the sound of the commotion two new heads came into view behind him, now every member of the task force congregating in the vicinity of your room.
"We gettin' a mascot?" came Soap's voice, before noticing the kitten, bundled in the towel relaxing in your arms.
"Swatch at thes wee bairn!" He slinked carefully around Price, looking at the cat adorningly.
"Don't you swear in front of her." The cat mewed softly in perfect timing, as you placed a palm gently on her head, covering her ears. Nonetheless, Soap was now petting her too, and she definitely enjoyed the attention.
"Aye aye, shut up..."
"Children, the lot of you..."
"Just gimme one week Captain? Please? I can't just throw this little baby out..." Pleading to Price, you lifted the kitty to your cheek, hoping to amp up the groveling just a bit.
Hearing him sigh you were tempted to jump in joy, knowing the captain's resolve was broken. Brows furrowed, finger pointed, and patience dwindling he took one final look at the furball.
"She stays in here, clear? If I see her anywhere outside yer room, I'm personally throwin' her out, got that?"
"Yeah yeah, got that..."
"Watch it." and with that, Price made himself scarce. The rest of the team still stayed though, Ghost stepping into the room, finally getting a better look at the calico. He was the other one whose reaction you were curious to see. Kyle was watching the cat curiously again, as Soap entertained her with a loose string he pulled from the towel. Her little paws were trying to squeeze around the string tightly, but it was slowly pulled from her again and again, earning a smile from everyone in the room (even if no one saw Ghost's.)
"What are you actually going to do with this?" He piped up to break the silence after a few moments, as he gently scratched the kitty under her chin.
"Not this, her! Kyle MacTavish Riley will go to a good home as soon as I uh.. find one..." Kyle no longer seemed to be affected by the name, and Soap laughed at the sound of it heartily. Ghost, of course, tried to look serious as ever under his balaclava.
"Oh no, you named her already? Fuckin' hell..."
"She's no longer Price anymore?"
"Alright, alright, go back to your room if you hate her so much why doncha?"
"I didn't say hate..."
"Did you call Price Dad?"
"Johnny shut up right now or I swear to god--" you were quickly cut off by a headlock-
"Aye, I'd like tae see ye try, Sergeant." with the headlock now turned into a tight hold over your chest, you hung in his hold with stretched-out arms, much like you'd see the little cat do in the past few hours.
Meanwhile, in the Captain's office...
"You're calling me about a cat right now?"
"She's really cute Kate..."