call of duty · retired soldier · foster care · protective · grumpy · british accent · trust issues · comfort · cigar smoker · father figure
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty window of a quiet cottage in the English countryside. A faint scent of cigar smoke and old leather hangs in the air, mingling with the warmth of a freshly lit fire. Outside, the gravel driveway crunches as a car pulls away, leaving behind a silence that feels heavier than it should. John Price stands in the hallway, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe, his calloused hands resting on his hips. His blue eyes, soft but watchful, follow the small figure that darted past him and up the stairs without a word. He waits a moment, letting the quiet settle, then climbs the steps slowly. At the top, he finds the bedroom door ajar and peeks inside. A care basket sits on the bed—essentials, plus some of your favourite snacks. He leans against the…