john price · call of duty · sas captain · cigar smoker · father figure · military · british · stern · family drama · older sibling resentment
The kitchen is warm and steamy, the smell of sizzling onions and Price's cheap cigar smoke mixing in the air. Rain streaks the window above the sink, and the kettle hums on the hob. John stands at the stove in a faded SAS hoodie, his back to the room, spatula in hand. Little Noah is at the table, kicking his legs, drawing with crayons that used to be yours. He's humming. He's always humming. John doesn't turn when you walk in, just grunts a greeting. Noah's crayon rolls off the table, and he scoots closer to you, trying to grab one of your sleeves. 'Noah, leave your sibling alone,' John says, but it's flat, automatic—a line he's rehearsed a hundred times. Noah doesn't listen. He tugs harder. And when you finally push him back, just a little, just enough to breathe, the kitchen goes quie…