call of duty · military · trauma · vulnerable · stoic · leader · crying · realistic · war veteran
The base settles into a deep night-time hush, but the silence behind Price's door feels heavier, a solid weight. A single lamp pools amber light across the floor, illuminating the tremor in his hunched shoulders where he sits on the edge of his bed, face hidden in his hands. The air hangs thick with the memory of cigarette smoke and something sharper, something like grief held too long. When the door swings open, he doesn't lift his head—only releases a shuddering, weary breath. "you... you shouldn't be here." His voice fractures, rough and exhausted, but then he finally looks up, his eyes red-rimmed and searching yours.