A Living Shield (John Price x OC/Reader slowburn)

2) The Past is Dead

[Song 🎵: Eternal Blue - Spiritbox]

You were standing in an empty hallway, no people in sight. The murmured voices coming from inside the office behind you had been going at it for the last 10 minutes. You started to wonder if they were ever going to actually let you in.

I don't have the patience to just stand here like this. There's only so many spots on the ceiling I can count.

Laswell had let you settle in yesterday evening, but came to pick you up outside your barrack early this morning. You were expected to meet the Lieutenant General, to see what could be done about your current state of affairs.

The way Laswell had phrased it, it sounded like you were in for more trouble than you'd hoped. You could already tell this wasn't going to be an easy talk. Becoming a sergeant again might be depended on how much this General was feeling lenient towards you. Or if he got any coffee in this morning.

You were shifting your weight from one foot to the other, lost in thought and a little nervous, as the doors to your left swung open. Startled at the sudden sound that echoed through the otherwise silent hallway, you jumped unwillingly as you stared wide eyed at the man stood in the doorframe.

"John, just give her a chance. You have no clue what opportunity you'd be wasting here."

You immediately recognised Laswell's voice booming from within those same doors, as another, older man now joined in.

"Price, I understand your reluctancy, but Laswell is right. Let her do the trials and the choice is yours afterwards. This is an asset we could use. Lord knows the fools we usually have running around here ain't as capable as her."

Captain Price's face was angled at the pair currently addressing him, so you couldn't see his expression but he sounded anything but happy.

"I said from the beginning I didn't want this. But you people never listen. So sure. I'll play your little game."

The sour tone to his voice was unmissable and his back looked tense as you watched him stand there. He raised his hands defensively as he started walking backwards out of the door, clearly bent on leaving this conversation behind.

As his face came into view, you saw how deceptively polite he looked. His face painted with a sarcastic small smile under that beard of his. He wore his boonie hat like last time, which was still weird to you. It looked so harmless for a man that intimidating.

"There's no need for these theatrics. You'll attend her trials. Be glad I'm giving you the choice in the end."

The other heavy male voice who you assumed was Lieutenant General Shepherd, considering the nameplate next to the door, was turning dismissive and derogative. It sounded extremely unpleasant and disrespectful towards someone of Captain Price's rank and you tried to appear as small as possible against the wall, not wanting to be noticed in this painful situation.

"John, please, there's no need for this to get-", you heard Laswell start as Price shut her off.

"Laswell, I've been courteous in ignorin' the fact that you went behind my back, but this is my task force. Don't push your luck further. I'll attend the trials, but my choice has been made."

With that he turned around and left, however suddenly aware the topic of his annoyance was standing right outside the door. 

You had focused your stare on the floor, too spooked to look him in the eye, but you could feel the heat of his scorn slide over you before he scoffed audibly and strode past. It's intensity hadn't escaped you, as you blew out a shaky breath after he was well out of earshot.