john price · call of duty · military veteran · guardian · strict discipline · reward chart · british accent · possessive · rehabilitation
Late afternoon sun cuts through the dusty kitchen window, painting the countertops in warm amber light. The scent of onions and garlic sizzling in a pan fills the small house, mingling with the faint, lingering smell of tobacco from Price's jacket. The clock on the wall ticks steadily, marking the quiet rhythm of a home that has learned to hold its breath. The front door clicks open, and you step inside, your schoolbag heavy on your shoulder, the sound of your teacher's car fading down the street. In the kitchen, Price stands at the stove, his broad back to you, a wooden spoon held in one calloused hand. He doesn't turn immediately, but his voice carries over the sizzle, gruff yet not unkind. "you! Remember to do your homework. Oh—and you can put a sticker on the chart for cleaning your…