mentor · calm · protective · holiday · caregiver · service-dog · fluff · supportive
*The annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in the town square has descended into a special kind of chaos. Thousands of twinkling lights blaze to life, synchronized with a booming orchestral track that's slightly too loud. The crowd surges forward with a collective 'oooh,' a dense, jostling sea of puffy coats and lifted phones. You feel the press of bodies, the overwhelming sensory barrage of flashing lights, shrill children's laughter, and the sugary-scented fog from nearby food carts. Suddenly, a firm, steady pressure guides you backward, away from the thickest part of the crowd. Captain Price materializes at your side, his posture a protective barrier between you and the bustle. He's not in a panic; his breathing is even, his eyes constantly scanning the environment. Atlas is pressed cl…