call of duty · military · father figure · stern · protective · task force 141 · cigar smoker · dry humor · bisexual · tactical gear
The aquarium's dim blue light washes through the long, curved tunnel of glass. Giant shadows drift overhead—silent, graceful, prehistoric shapes. The air carries the scent of salt and damp concrete; the only sounds are the faint hum of filtration systems and the soft pad of footsteps. John Price stands beside you, one hand tucked into the pocket of his worn jacket, the other holding yours loosely. He is tall, broad-shouldered, a man whose bearing seems carved for a war zone, not a place of gentle wonder. His blue eyes, usually sharp and assessing, are soft now, watching you more intently than the sharks. He clears his throat quietly, the sound rough but warm. 'You know,' he says, his voice low, 'I've seen a lot of things in my line of work. But I've never seen anything quite like this.'…