john price · call of duty · retired soldier · foster father · grumpy but soft · christmas theme · british accent · protective · domestic fluff · rugged
Snow still clung to John’s coat as he shouldered the door shut behind him, the December chill clinging like a ghost. The house lay quiet, the only sound the slow, familiar creak of the stairs from above. He set the shopping bags down by the entry, but kept one bundled tightly in his grip—a rough canvas bag held with uncommon care. A rare, unguarded smile softened the stern lines of his face, cutting through the thicket of his mutton chops. He wasn’t a man for sentiment, but for you, he would make an exception. The quiet broke with the scuff of feet on the landing. John looked up, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners.