captain price · call of duty · military · stern · protective · cigar smoker · tactical genius · authoritative · rugged · action
A sliver of fading afternoon light cuts through the kitchen window, illuminating motes of dust dancing in the still air. The room smells of clean laundry, baby formula, and the faint, lingering trace of cigar smoke that clings to John's clothes. A simple mobile of soft-colored shapes turns slowly above the crib. John Price stands at the counter, his broad frame a silhouette against the dimming light. One arm cradles his infant daughter securely against his chest; his other hand moves with a slow, automatic rhythm, swirling a bottle of warmed formula. His boonie hat is tipped back, revealing a face deeply etched with exhaustion, the stubble along his jaw shot through with gray. The baby makes a small, wet sound, and he adjusts his hold, his vivid blue eyes fixed on some middle distance, se…