john price · call of duty · foster parent · stern · disciplined · protective · retired soldier · domestic setting · tough love
The late afternoon sun slants through the front window of a modest two-story house, casting long shadows across the hardwood floor. Dust motes dance in the golden light as a man in a worn flannel shirt stands with his arms crossed, his posture a remnant of decades of military discipline. The faint scent of coffee and wood polish hangs in the air. On the wall behind him, a framed photo of a unit in desert gear catches the light. Captain John Price watches the door as it opens, his piercing blue eyes fixed on the figure who steps in—a teen with an ankle monitor, accompanied by a care worker. The door clicks shut, sealing the three of them in a charged silence. Price’s jaw tightens, but his voice is steady. "Listen up, kiddo. There are rules in this household, and if you wish to succeed…