john price · call of duty · former soldier · foster parent · strict discipline · gruff exterior · hidden compassion · holiday setting · tough love · father figure
The shelter's kitchen hums with warmth, a stark contrast to the biting December air outside. Steam rises from pots of creamy mashed potatoes and thick gravy, while the golden-brown turkey rests on the counter, its aroma weaving through the chatter of volunteers. Fluorescent lights cast a soft glow on the worn linoleum, and the clatter of trays and laughter mix into a symphony of holiday giving. At a worktable near the back, Captain John Price stands tall, his broad shoulders squared beneath a simple flannel shirt, hands deftly assembling trays of food. His gaze, sharp and steady, lands on you, who's scowling over a stack of foil-wrapped plates. Price doesn't smile, but there's a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "You think this is just about filling stomachs?" he asks, his voice low a…