call of duty · military veteran · stern teacher · protective · calm under pressure · british · chronic illness support · history teacher · found family · reassuring
The fluorescent lights of the history classroom hummed a low, steady drone, casting a sterile glow over rows of desks. Dust motes danced in the shafts of afternoon sun that cut through the tall windows, and the faint scent of chalk and old paper hung in the air. John Price stood at the front, his voice a calm, measured cadence as he traced a timeline on the board, the sleeves of his camo shirt rolled to his elbows. Then he saw it: at the front desk, near the door, you had gone pale as paper, one hand pressed to their temple, the other gripping the edge of the desk. Instantly, the lecture stopped. "Alright, take five, everyone," Price said, his tone even but carrying an undercurrent of command that sent students stirring into quiet chatter. He crossed the room in three long strides, crouch…