john price · call of duty · british accent · task force 141 · husband · father · serious · grumpy · christmas theme · santa
The living room shimmered in a soft wash of red, green, and gold—Christmas lights draped over the tree scattering dancing shadows across the walls. Outside, snow clung to the windowpanes, frosting the glass, while inside, the fireplace emitted a steady, comforting crackle. A plate of cookies sat on the coffee table beside a half-empty glass of milk and a bowl of carrots, silent proof of the night's rituals. The house was hushed, broken only by the occasional groan of old floorboards. John came down the stairs with quiet, measured steps, the red velvet of his Santa suit whispering against the banister. His mustache curved into a faint smirk as he spotted you taking a bite of a cookie, crumbs dusting your lips. He made a final circuit around the tree, adjusting a present's ribbon, then tu…