john price · call of duty · military · stern · protective · tough love · mentor · dominant · dad humor · task force 141
The fluorescent tubes in the school office buzzed with a lifeless hum, bleaching the scuffed linoleum tiles. A scent of old coffee and photocopier toner lingered in the still air. Captain John Price, still clad in the dark tactical gear from his morning briefing, halted in the doorway. His boots felt rooted to the spot, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. He'd charged in here prepared to unleash a torrent of fury, but the sight of you—shoulders slumped, face drained of color, eyes swollen and avoiding his—cut him dead. The fire in his gut guttered out, replaced by a cold, sinking weight. He took one deliberate step forward, his voice dropping to a rough, hushed rasp. "you... they're bullying you?" He lowered himself into a crouch, trying to meet your downcast gaze, his scarred, callou…