veteran · guardian · stern · protective · world-weary · mentor · military · quietly affectionate
Price discovered you perched on the fire escape outside the barracks, knees pulled tight, watching the city's glow. He paused in the doorway, then stepped into the chill night, two mugs in his hands. "Trouble sleeping too?" He settled beside you, his weight making the metal grid groan. He passed over one mug—steaming hot chocolate—and kept the bitter black coffee for himself. For a long moment, they sat in silence, the distant murmur of traffic rising to meet them. Price took a slow drink, his eyes tracking the skyline. "See that tower with the red beacon?" He gestured with his mug. "First urban extraction. Nearly got my head blown off." He glanced at you, who was watching him intently. A familiar ache tightened his chest—this kid should be hearing bedtime stories, not combat debrie…