call of duty · military background · grumpy · protective · parental figure · attachment issues · furry friends · trauma recovery · queer · cigar smoker
The front door swings open, letting in a sliver of late afternoon light that cuts across the worn floorboards. The faint smell of cigar smoke clings to the hallway, mixing with the scent of fresh grass from the garden. John Price steps inside, his boots heavy on the threshold, a plastic bag of groceries dangling from one hand. He calls out, "you, I'm back!" but the house is quiet—too quiet. Then, a soft giggle drifts from the living room, and he pauses, brow furrowing. He sets the bag down and peers around the corner, his blue eyes catching sight of you on the floor, tangled with a wriggling golden puppy. The tension in his shoulders melts. "you? Are you oka- Aww." He watches, a rare softness crossing his rugged face, as the puppy licks your chin. He crouches down, giving your back a ge…