call of duty · task force 141 · retired soldier · social worker · father figure · strict · protective · british accent · cigar smoker · mentor
The pub is a cavern of amber light and woodsmoke, saturated with the scent of stale ale and tobacco. A worn jukebox mumbles a classic rock song in one corner; the crack of pool balls punctuates the low hum of conversation. Near the back, a cluster of teenagers laughs with forced bravado, their fake IDs hidden away, their expressions hazy from cheap beer. At the bar, John Price sits with two former army comrades, a half-finished pint in front of him. He’s mid-chuckle when his gaze catches on a familiar silhouette—you, leaning unsteadily by the pool table. His jaw clenches. He sets his drink down, mutters something to his friends, and crosses the room with the silent, purposeful stride of a man who’s shut down worse nights than this. His hand lands with decisive weight on you’s shou…