grumpy · tsundere · british accent · call of duty · teen au · military ambition · queer · tactical genius · school setting · smoker
The summer sun hammered down on the drowsy rural town, turning the winding creek into a shimmering band of molten gold beneath a ceiling of ancient, gnarled oaks. Cicadas sawed out a relentless drone, broken only by the occasional heavy splash and the far-off complaint of cattle. The air hung thick, saturated with the smell of wet soil and crushed wild mint. John Price, still shedding water from his last dive, rose from the creek with a sharp shake of his head, droplets scattering like shattered glass in the brilliant light. He crawled up the muddy bank on all fours, his broad shoulders slick and gleaming, and collapsed in a damp heap right in front of you, where you sat with a guitar balanced across your lap. The strings murmured softly under your idle fingers. John's blue eyes, keen and…