Chapter Text
I wake up groggy from landing, everything so different than what I’m use to at my old base, early in the morning that the sun isn’t even up yet. It’s definitely more of an upgrade though! Grabbing my bags and heading out of the helicopter I’m met with a familiar face, Kate Laswell. We met in person back in the states, she told me I was getting transferred and I was everything they were looking for. Being told you’re getting transferred to an elite team called 141 was a shocker! Especially with their background and history being so impressive, I didn’t think I would be much compared to them. But Laswell was adamant about me joining and being apart of the team. Seeing her in person again and not having a new face to put with a name is a relief too. Settles my anxiety a bit knowing someone in a new place.
“Hey y/n! Great to see you again! Follow me to my office, there’s a few things we need to speak about before you get to meet the others and learn where you’ll be living.” Kate’s voice started off friendly but changed into a more serious tone.
“Oh of course! It’s good to see you too, as well!” Trying to keep the nervousness at bay but failing slightly. I trudge along following the quick moving Laswell, making sure not to lose sight of her and where she’s going.
On the way to her office we passed so many different people and hybrids alike, it was a bit relaxing to see peace. Being hybrid wasn’t always great especially where I came from. In the states, some people didn’t think of us as equals but as objects or lessers. You know being different isn’t great and comes with lots of backlash, it’s nice to see them all training and going about their lives. The idea of it brings back a memory of my past, certain people pop up in my head. Before it has the chance to pull the picture into my head, I stop in my tracks as to not bump into Laswell as she unlocks her office door.
“Y/n, come inside and take a seat. I have some forms you have to fill out. But before that we do have to discuss… well your cycles, and how you’d like to handle them.” She says this like it’s optional but I know it’s not. Hoping I could get passed this awkward conversation knowing it has to be talked about to help prevent any issues. My ears drop to the side of my head, showing this isn’t a conversation I’d prefer having.
“Yeah… I almost forgot I have to talk about my heat cycle.” It ended with a light laugh to cover the amount of nervousness that was swimming in my head.
“In my old base they use to “help” arrange people to assist me but I always found it uncomfortable. Maybe if there was like a way to have both parties be aware of the issue, it wouldn’t feel like a burden or transaction?” I asked in a tone that would hopefully help set up the topic to be a conversation and not a deal or contract to be made. Watching Laswell type something in her computer with a monotone expression was anxiety ridden. If I wasn’t trained to handle worse situations I would’ve been biting my nails. When she finished she turned to face me.
“I think that’s a great way of going about it. Maybe you can work on a list of people you’d prefer. If someone is on a mission and isn’t available and you’re in need, it’ll be good to have a backup per se. We do have to keep it between your group. I don’t think you would but we don’t need you to become the figurative ‘Barricks Bunny’. There are too many variables of outsiders getting caught in between 141 related issues that we can’t risk. I’ll have you meet with Price after we’re done with some paperwork here. Is there any other concerns or questions?” She states this like there is no arguing for different options. So I take what I can get and throw the nauseating feeling of ‘What if an issue breaks out between someone in 141 and me? Would I have to be transferred?’
“I think it’s workable, definitely better than my older options. But I am worried if an issue happens to fester between me and my teammate. What would that m-?” You’re cut off before you can finish.
“141 is made up of elite members who handle dire situations every other week, and you will be joining them too. I’m sure those guys can handle a little conflict like that. As well as I would expect whom ever would be involved to handle the situation in an adult manner seeing as we are all one?” She gives you a slight glance from her computer screen she was typing on, to make sure her point got across. Just to go back to her screen to continue typing. I spent the next 45 minutes signing paperwork and forms.
＼(٥⁀▽⁀ )／
After I finished the tiring stacks of paperwork, I was given Captain Price’s office number. What I didn’t know was that it happened to be across the base! AND I had to be there in 20 minutes. (-n-) Laswell gives me the good to go so I left her room in a “brisk walk.” Lost in my own mind of how I’ll get to his office in time, I slam into a wall of a person. They didn’t budge but I was almost put on my ass dropping a paper or two. “Geht es dir gut, Hase?(Are you alright, bunny?)” The tree of a man asks but doesn’t reach to help me, probably sensing I’m in a rush. I didn’t give a response, not understanding the question in my panic. Quickly picking up my stuff, not wanting to waste anymore time, I quickly spew apologies out and start B-lining it to Price’s office. I never noticed how loose my shirt became.
•~~✤~~•
König woke up a bit earlier today, nothing out of the normal for him. Starting his morning routine to get ready to deal with recruits. Going to his build in bathroom, bending down to fit through the doorway, and washing his face to fully wake himself up. He dries off and places his mask over his head and face. It’s made out of an old, black t-shirt with eye holes cut out, bleach stain, streaks under them. He grabs his phone from his nightstand and makes sure his outfit is up to standards. About to walk out his door, he gets a message from Price in a group chat with the rest of 141.
Price-“New teammate just landed, Laswell is gonna pass her over to me around 0800. Make sure you boys are ready to meet them later in the afternoon, in the common area.”
König-“Ja sir!”
Soap-“Got a few errands to run but should make it in time!”
Gaz-“You got it sir!”
“Soap you better make it on time!”
Soap-“Yeah, yeah. I’ll make it”
Gaz-“That’s what you said last time and was missing for an hour!”
König closes his phone and continues out his door towards the training grounds. The sun has fully risen now an addition to a good start of the day. He makes his way through the corridors getting closer to the grounds, when he turns the corner and something? No someone, with cute rabbit ears and a speedy step, crashes into his torso. He didn’t budge but when he looked down at the rabbit hybrid below him, he held a chuckle. They looked so flustered, and a bit panicked. He wanted to reach down to help but in their state he thought it was best to withhold.
“Geht es dir gut, Hase?(Are you alright, bunny?)” He asked softly as if not to spook the little bunny infront of him. He then thought they probably don’t understand German like his colleagues. He was about to repeat his question in English but she scrambled to her feet after grabbing the dropped items and took off.
“Shit! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! Sorry but I- I’m sorry!” She took off, apologies getting lost in the distance. As her back was turned to him, he noticed she had a little tail. His head tilted to the side and crinkles formed at the sides of his eyes.
“Cute ears and~ a cute cotton tail? Hmm” He held a chuckle in at the thought of wanting to touch them to see if they were as soft as they looked. He tried to push the thoughts down and head over to his recruits, but something made him a bit excited for the meeting later.
•~~✤~~•
After bumping into that, what 6’8” or 6’10” man? I’m not sure I didn’t get a good look at him I just left in a hurry. I was a bit disoriented after but made my way through some crowds. When I finally made it to Captain Price’s office, I was finally able to breathe and take a second before knocking.
“Come in!” I hear from the other side of the door. He had a what I wanna call a “British accent” but a little bit different. I gently twist the knob of the door, as it cracks open my instincts go wild! I hold my reaction inside me and don’t let it reach the surface. Something about this man says ‘I can kill you in a heartbeat’ and I haven’t even seen him yet!
I open the door fully taking in the man sitting at his desk, aura demanding respect. I don’t dare make a move to sit down, I just wait, stuck, glued in my spot.
“Take a seat, I won’t bite” He chuckles at the little joke he made. I didn’t find it as amusing given the atmosphere of his presence. I’m quick to do as I’m told, sitting right infront of this man. Slowly taking in his features. A bucket hat that looks like it’s been through the wringer, with two horns sticking out. One of them looked chipped and broken off. He had mutton chops, connected to a beard. Behind him was a wing, dragon wing maybe? But what happened to the other one, it’s missing on the same side of the broken horn? Almost as if reading your thoughts, Captain Price breaks you from your thoughts.
“Lost it in a bad explosion, took a bit outta my horn too. But hey, I made it out alive and breathing!” He tried to turn the end of his sentence into a more upbeat tone that didn’t match his intimidating aura. It was a bit of a relief that he wasn’t gonna just end you once you’ve made the smallest mistake… he’s still scary tho.
“Anyways, I’m Price, Captain of 141. Kate said you have some information to pass to me?” he says this like he already knows what I’m supposed to tell him.
“Oh, um yeah. It’s a bit awkward to talk about… Um she wants me to discuss what the plan is for my cycle. Unlike others who rarely get heat cycles or none at all. Mine is umm… twentyfourseven” I mumble the last part in hopes he heard it the first time, but he asks me to repeat myself. So I did and explained it was a 24/7 issue, due to me being a hybrid. He understood and encouraged me to continue.
“Laswell and I agreed that I should meet everyone and make a list using 141? I don’t want it to feel like how it was at my old base, like a transaction or deal. I wanted it to be more mutual and respectful. Laswell said not to be a figurative ‘Barricks Bunny’. This cycle isn’t anything I can control-“ Just like that I was cut off from my spiraling thoughts going back to how I was treated at the old base.
“I think that’s a completely reasonable plan. Cycles are normal to have and can be hassle on their own, I can’t imagine having to go through it everyday. We’re here to help relieve that if you’ll let us. I’ll let the boys know and have a summary about this plan sent to them. We can all meet later this afternoon, after you’ve settled down, we’ll be at the common room. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me.” Price gives a soft smile that’s reassuring. I’m still left dumbfounded that they agreed so easily. Is this not awkward?
“Here is your file, I’d hope later you can tell us more about yourself at the meeting. Your room number should be on the front. You can use the rest of the time to take a look around base and get yourself accustomed here.” He hands you the file that’s not super full but does have a good amount of paper in it. I start to stand up and turn to head out towards the door when I hear a soft deep chuckle.
“What’s funny Captain Price?” I slowly turned around like prey about to be caught.
“Oh you can just call me Price, I don’t care for the formality. But um… it seems that you have an untucked shirt revealing a um fluff ball.” He said this while trying to stifle laughter but letting another chuckle out. I quickly use one hand to check and yup. My tail is sticking out but only a bit of the tips fur shows. Setting my file on his desk to quickly re-tuck my shirt in and hide my tail. I give my apologies for informal clothing standards. Price doesn’t care for that formality and throws the situation over his shoulder. I regather my file ready to head out the door.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why do you hide your tail? There are a bunch of hybrids here who have tails and it doesn’t break standard here.” His voice breaks the silence and stops me in my tracks. Why did I hide my tail?
“It’s something I’ve always done. As a kid people would poke, prod, and harass me for my features. They’d pull at my ears and tail whenever without asking… I was just a walking circus for them. When I joined the military it didn’t change much. People don’t take kindly to anything different. I learned to just hide parts of myself so I wouldn’t have to endure getting hazed.” Sincerity pours out of me and before I knew it I was being hugged… by Price.
“I’ve worked hard to make sure everyone here is treated with respect. You are free to be yourself here and if anyone has a problem with you, I can handle it personally. You are apart of 141 now, this is MY family and I will not tolerate someone mistreating them.” He holds you by the shoulders and makes sure to look you at your eyes even if your eye contact doesn’t stay and flickers away. Every word he just said holds so much truth to it that you can’t help but feel relief that someone here understands.
Price pulls away and lets me leave before sitting down to continue something on the computer. Walking away from his office I slowly begin to get lost. Finding my way around things didn’t go great. I’m used to seeing where I am supposed to go before hand on a map or something, not finding out in the moment. Wondering around hopelessly and hungry, when someone approaches.
“Hey, I haven’t seen ya here? You the new transfer?” Turning around to the Scottish voice, I see a man walking towards me with wolf ears on each side of a unkept mohawk. There’s a fluffy tail swinging behind him too. Price was right no one here seems to worry about their features.
“Oh um, yeah I’m Y/n. But most people just call me ‘Lucky’. Actually I’m a bit lost and been to anxious to ask for help but do you think you could help me find my room, ummm” As I asked for help he walked up to stand in front of me, sniffing the air a bit. Not knowing what to call him by I left my sentence open for interruptions.
“I’m Johnny MacTavish but everyone calls me ‘Soap’. Can I see your file, that way I can help ya find your room?” I hand over my but not fully letting it out of my hands, enough where Soap can see and read it.
“Looks like imma have a new neighbor! Your room is next to mine and König’s. I can show ya the way?” Soap gives a gentle smile with his offer. It’s inviting and refreshing breath of air compared to how I felt moments ago. I accept his offer to show me my room. Walking there was small descriptions of where we are and tips on how to recognize where I am. It seems he caught on pretty quickly that directions and location are hard for me to remember.
When we’ve arrived he makes sure it’s know. Soap shows me his door and König’s door. I’m not sure who he is but I guess I’ll be meeting him later. He leaves me to open my door and walk into my room.
“You go ahead and get settled I’ll be in my room, next-door. If you’d like I can walk ya to the mess hall in a bit so you can get something to eat?”
“Thanks, I would love that I haven’t eaten since last night and it’s almost noon.” Soap leaves me be after that. I start unpacking what was transferred and turning a boring room into a lived in one. Pictures of old friends, changed sheets to comfortable ones really added to make it more homey. You decide to explore your room more finding a built in bathroom. Might be a perk of 141. Just glad I don’t have to share a shower with people again. Excited with the bathroom I grab a change of comfortable clothes and get a shower going. Stripping down, I take a glance at the mirror and think back to what Price said. I shouldn’t have to hide myself but something in me is afraid that maybe nothing has changed. That thought gets pushed down not wanting to relive anything before relaxing. Turning away and jumping into the warm shower, I clean myself off washing my hair and ears and take a second to just enjoy the warm, relaxing water hitting my back. I turn and let the water run down my breast running my hand over them to get any excess soap off. When I finished I dried my hair and ears off making sure not to make anything frizzy or fluff up too much. I decided I would allow my tail to show, ignoring the benefit of a doubt. Putting on a loose t-shirt that stuck to my damp chest and some sweat pants that allow my tail out, I catch myself in the mirror. I flush at the way my tail looks.
“This is normal here Y/n, people walk around like this everyday! Look at Soap!” I whisper yell at myself in the mirror in hopes it snaps me out of whatever embarrassment I have with my tail. I never had this problem with my ears, but I also can’t hide them without getting in trouble for wearing hats out of season. Shaking my head and walking away from the bathroom, I grab my phone and stuff it in my pocket, putting some slippers on. At this point my stomach is making grumbling sounds, so I head next door and knock hopping this is Soap’s room and not the supposed ‘König’ he mention.