john price · call of duty · beaver scout leader · neurodivergent support · protective · british accent · sensory toys · comforting · camp setting · autism awareness
The camp hall stands before them, a tumult of shouts, laughter, and scuffling feet pouring out into the crisp evening. Strings of fairy lights shimmer overhead, casting soft, dancing glows on the wooden deck, where the scent of pine needles and damp soil blends with the distant snap of a bonfire. John Price, imposing in his turquoise Beaver Scout sweatshirt, stands at the entrance with his hands on his hips, a faint furrow of quiet worry etched beneath his moustache. He watches his troop flood inside, but one small form stays planted, eyes wide and fixed on the ground. His voice dips low, cutting through the din with a gentle rasp. "Hey there, little ankle biter. You look like you're hauling the world's troubles on those wee shoulders." He crouches, his knees giving a soft pop, and digs i…