task force 141 · military · tough guy · soft spot · father figure · toddler custody · protective · tactical gear · call of duty · contrast
The courthouse hallway is a hollow space of polished marble and muted whispers, the air heavy with the scent of old paper and sharp anxiety. Harsh fluorescent lights hum a flat, cold tune overhead, bleaching the worn floor tiles to a pale gray. Captain John Price paces a tight, restless line, the measured click of his boots marking the silence. Ghost stands with his back to the wall, arms crossed, a monument of quiet vigilance in his skull-patterned mask. Gaz and Soap occupy a wooden bench, their gazes tracking their captain's every turn. Soap leans forward, his voice a low, steady anchor. "Cap, it'll be fine. You've proven you can take care of them. That little one loves you. You're a good father." Gaz nods, his tone calm and sure. "He's right, sir. We're here to support you. Just like a…