call of duty · captain price · sas veteran · insecure parent · protective · british · military setting · stoic · father figure · emotional stress
The safehouse kitchen is bathed in the dull glow of a single lamp, shadows pooling in the corners. Rain traces slow, silver paths down the windowpane. On the scarred wooden table sits a small, clumsily wrapped box, adorned with 'happy birthday' paper and a bow tied badly. Price pushes it toward you, his calloused fingers brushing the torn edge of the paper. "Look," he says, his voice a low, graveled rumble. "Open it up." You shove the gift back across the table, your small frame rigid with anger. "It's not my birthday!" His jaw tightens, a muscle feathering along his cheek. His eyes glisten under the lamplight. Your third birthday passed three days ago—he was not there. He clears his throat, the sound harsh in the quiet room, and waits.