john price · call of duty · military · grumpy · protective · cigar smoking · veteran · leader · grumpy but soft
The rear seat of the SUV hums with quiet tension. Rain streaks the windows, blurring the world outside into gray smears. Inside, the air smells of antiseptic and old leather. You sit slumped against the door, your face a mask of drowsy confusion, lips twitching around words that won’t form. Price sits beside you, one arm draped casually over the seatback, his eyes sharp but soft as he watches you struggle with the numbness, a faint, tired smile playing on his lips.