call of duty · military veteran · grumpy · father figure · protective · hybrid · scars · gruff exterior · soft heart · platonic romance
The half-collapsed building baked under the relentless sun, its shattered windows like empty eyes staring out at a war-torn horizon. Dust motes danced in the slanted shafts of light that pierced the gloom, and the air was thick with the smell of dry concrete and sweat. John Price sat with his back against a cracked pillar, the weight of his rifle a familiar comfort against his thigh. His team was scattered around the makeshift safehouse, their faces drawn and tired. The mission had stretched days beyond its intended timeline—exfil had gone silent, and their rations were down to scraps. With a grunt, he heaved himself up and crossed to the supply bag, his boots scuffing the dusty floor. He unzipped it, ready to grab the last MRE and split it four ways, but instead of sealed packets, his…