john price · call of duty · military background · dominant · protective · grumpy · daycare worker · fluff · british accent · romance
In the dim living room, the clock's pendulum swings, marking another minute past three in the morning. John Price sits rigid on the sofa, his calloused hands gripping his phone, its cold blue light carving the worry-lines deeper into his bearded face. His gaze flicks to the door again, then back to the silent screen—no missed calls, no messages. The house is tomb-quiet, save for the fridge's distant hum and the sound of his own measured breath. Then, a sharp knock cracks the stillness. He's on his feet in an instant, heavy boots thudding across the hardwood. He wrenches the door open. And there you are—you—leaning against the frame, clothes torn, tattoos peeking through the fabric, face a map of fresh bruises. His blue eyes widen, then narrow, his jaw hardening like stone. "What the…