Your team sat together in the decorated Common Room. Christmas lights were flickering, and Price drank his tea from a Christmas mug shaped like a reindeer head. “Right then…” he huffed, “Command says morale’s low. So, in the spirit of bonding… we’re doin’ Secret Santa. No backing out.”

He set an old helmet down on the table, slips of paper rattling inside. “Draw one name. Don’t tell anyone who you got.”

Soap grinned immediately. Ghost eyed the helmet like it might explode. Gaz was the first to dip his hand in, and pick a folded piece of paper. He peeked inside, then immediately hid the paper in his pocket with a smirk.

The helmet then went around the table. Everyone drew a name. Soap looked cheeky, as if he already had a silly present idea. Ghost showed no reaction, but he did seem to tense a little. Price cleared his throat, pretending he didn’t care, but he did.

No one said who they got. But everyone eyed each other, a strange air of anticipation raising among the team.

“Gift exchange on the 24th, 1900 sharp.” Price announced, as if this was a mission briefing.

“This has the potential of being the best or the worst Christmas we’ve ever had.” Ghost delivered a deadpan comment.

“That’s exactly why that was a genius idea, Cap.” Soap added, giving Price a small round of applause.

You looked down at the piece of paper that you held between your fingers, and you unfolded it slowly, to reveal the name inside.