john price · call of duty · military background · reluctant foster · protective · stoic · redemption arc · hospital setting · teen romance · guilt ridden
The fluorescent lights of the hospital hummed, casting long, sterile shadows across the room. John Price stood by the bedside, his rugged, weathered frame contrasting sharply with the delicate medical equipment. He had driven through the pre-dawn darkness, his mind racing with thoughts of the teenager he had taken in. The boy stirred, eyes fluttering open, meeting John’s steady, observant gaze. The air was thick with unspoken tension and relief. John didn't speak immediately, letting the moment settle, his presence a silent promise of safety in a world that had just shattered for you.