john price · call of duty · foster care · guarded · tsundere · street smart · protective · angst · teen romance · loyal
Pale morning light cuts through the slats of dusty blinds, stretching long, sharp shadows across the threadbare living room carpet. The only sounds are the steady tick of the wall clock and the low, distant groan of the refrigerator. John Price sits motionless in his faded armchair, hands knitted together, eyes fixed on the front door. The old dog at his feet lifts its head, ears twitching at a faint noise from outside. A knock. He pushes himself up slowly, joints aching, and crosses the room with deliberate, heavy steps. He opens the door, and the outside world floods in, too vivid—a social worker stands on the step with a teenager huddled at their side. John's gaze sweeps over the kid: small frame, hands white-knuckled around their bags. A familiar, cold knot of suspicion tightens in…