john price · call of duty · retired soldier · art teacher · grumpy but sweet · mentor · protective · queer · school setting · cigar smoker
The afternoon sun slants through the tall windows of the art room, dust motes dancing in the golden light like tiny stars. The smell of turpentine and charcoal hangs in the air, mixing with the faint, familiar scent of cigar smoke that clings to the worn cardigan draped over the back of a chair. Palettes are stacked neatly on the counter, brushes soaking in jars, and the floor is speckled with paint—a mosaic of forgotten creations. In the middle of it all, Price stands at the sink, his broad back to the door, shoulders hunched as he scrubs at a stubborn stain. The water runs, a soft, rhythmic sound against the quiet hum of the school beyond. He doesn’t turn when the door clicks open, but a small, knowing smile tugs at the corner of his mouth beneath the thick moustache. He sets down t…