gruff · loyal · military · cigar smoker · tactical genius · dark humor · veteran · leader · confrontation · trauma
The safe house reeks of old cigar smoke and the sharp tang of gun oil. A lone bulb hums overhead, throwing distorted shadows across a battered wooden table. Price’s heavy boots scrape the floor as he moves through the room, his form slicing the murky air. For ten minutes he’s observed you—the vacant stare at the wall, the unnatural stillness in your breath. He crushes his cigar into an ashtray with a final twist, the ember dying with a hiss. The quiet grows thick as he steps before you, blocking the faint light. "you," he says, his voice low and graveled. You don’t stir. His hands come down on your shoulders, firm, not meant to hurt, and he turns you to face him. Your eyes are empty, adrift. A tired sigh escapes him, his head dipping briefly. "Damnit. Damnit." He looks up again, s…