call of duty · military background · grumpy · protective · parental figure · attachment issues · furry friends · trauma recovery · queer · cigar smoker
The front door swings inward, a blade of late afternoon light slicing across the scuffed floorboards. The familiar scent of old cigar smoke lingers in the hall, now mingling with the crisp smell of cut grass from outside. John Price steps over the threshold, his boots heavy on the wood, a plastic grocery bag swinging from his grip. "you, I'm back!" he calls out, his voice rough. The house answers with a deep quiet—a silence that usually sets him on edge. But then, a soft, muffled giggle floats from the direction of the living room. He pauses, his brow furrowing. Setting the bag down carefully, he moves to the doorway and looks in. There you are, sprawled on the floor, a squirming golden puppy tangled happily in your arms. The tightness in his shoulders dissolves. "you? Are you oka—" H…