1. While going on a jog with you he started to jog backwards to look at you with a charming grin. You thought he was going to tell you something but he was just checking out the way your tits bounced and he was gearing up to hit on you. John then tripped over a rock he didn’t see and fell like a tree trunk to the ground. You had to help him, as a human crutch, limp home because he twisted his ankle.
2. Accidentally purchased two pairs of identical diamond earrings. It was a final sale so he couldn’t return the extra pair and was kicking himself for it. They are shamefully hidden at the bottom of his sock drawer waiting for you to lose the first pair.
3. While passing the football in the yard with his eight year old son John accidentally kicked it with more power than intended straight into his child’s face. There was so much blood and tears John felt like the worst parent to ever walk this earth. Your reaction to your son’s bloody nose and tear streaked face didn’t help his case.
Angst CW: semi graphic injury descriptions
John Price x 141Lieutenant!Reader - 2.6k words - requested by anon
Blood. All you could taste was blood. Your ears were ringing and the aching pain in your… well, everywhere made it distinctly clear that you had definitely just been in an exploding building. Your radio was crackling on your tac vest, John’s voice coming through as he demanded a status update from you. As you lift your hand to reach for it, you become aware of the shrapnel buried in your forearm. Well shit. That’s not good. You had enough medical training though, to know to leave it in. Trying to pull it out meant at best letting the wound bleed, and at worst severing nerves.
You can feel every part of your body though, so at least you’re not paralyzed. Turning your mic on and beginning to speak reveals in turn that you’ve definitely swallowed concrete dust, your voice hoarse and rough. “Still kicking… haven’t seen the damage yet but a bomb went off in my quadrant. I’m partially buried and got at least one shrapnel impalement that I can see. Not sure exactly how far I got knocked, but I shouldn’t be far from my last marked position.”
Report done, you let your head loll back, trying to breathe through the pain. You are partially pinned and won’t be getting out without help, but you have to stay calm. You’re probably in shock, but you’re aware enough that letting yourself panic and your heart rate increase would be very bad for you. The radio erupts with voices again, Ghost, Soap, Gaz, and John all clamoring at once. But you’re tired. So tired. You should be trying to keep yourself awake, but you can’t. It’s just too much.
The next time you wake, your husband is leaning over you, fear filling those frigidly blue eyes of his. John’s on his knees, helmet off despite the still present risk of snipers. He’s propping himself up on one arm, the other hand on your cheek. Oh, he’s talking to you. Trying to get you to wake up. Poor thing must be terrified for you. Your head swims, but his voice still rings clear, the deep timbre cutting through the fog in your mind.
“Sweetheart. Hey, hey. Sweetheart, ye gotta wake up. Show me those eyes, yeah? Wake up.” All he gets in return is a soft groan as your eyes flutter open. Your vision is blurry and you almost definitely have a concussion, but you can hear the utter relief in the exhale John lets out after you look up at him. You’re about to try and reply, but he interrupts you. “Shh, shh, sweetheart, don’t talk. Save your strength, med evac is on the way.”
You just nod, letting John try and calm you, focusing on him. The boys are here too, Ghost’s gruff voice barking commands as he, Gaz, and Soap work to dig you out of the wreckage. John’s petting your head, murmuring down to you. His words are indistinct, or you’re just too tired to process them. The pain is unimaginable, but your husband wants you awake, so you’re gonna stay awake. Stay awake and stay alive. You try so hard, but you just can’t. The last thing you hear before you go limp again is your husband’s panicked voice snapping at the team. You have to talk to him about that later. If you remember. It’s not their fault you got exploded. “Hurry! Hurry up with that, he can’t hold on much longer! We’ve got to get to exfil.”
This time you wake to a toasty hospital room, blissfully pain free. Your thoughts are foggy as you stir into consciousness, so if you add that to the little pain you feel, and prior experience, your addled math points to morphine. Fun. You must be really fucked up then. Slowly waking, you feel a weight pinning your leg down. For a minute, you think you’re still trapped in the rubble, pinned and dying, until you look down. Oh. Oh. It’s just John, squished into a plastic chair too small for his bulk, slumped over your hospital bed like the many times he’s fallen asleep at his writing desk.
There’s no telling how long you’ve been asleep, but your limbs are stiff with stillness, eyes crusted with sleep. So you shift the tiniest bit, extending scraped and bandaged fingers to card through John’s hair. The second you touch him, your husband’s head is jerking up and he’s staring at you. John’s eyes are red, and he’s obviously been crying. God, you’ve definitely been out at least a day for a look like that. He shifts, scooting up closer to you.
“Sweetheart? You really awake?” He’s whispering, voice thick with grief.
You grumble a little, eyelids fluttering, and nod. Your head still aches and you want to go back to sleep, but John so clearly needs you. “How long have I been out…? Is everyone okay? How are you…?” Your voice is raspy, mouth dry and filled with cotton. Definitely been out a while.
John lifts a cup of water from the table beside your hospital bed, lifting it to your lips. “Shush, shush. Drink. You’ve been out for a week, sweetheart.” He huffs a weak little laugh. “Worrying about others when you’ve just woken up from a coma. Just like you, yeah. The boys are fine. Worried mad sick about you, but the worst injury was Johnny pulling a muscle in his arm lifting some of the concrete off you. As for me, I’ll be far better with my husband healed and out of a coma, so rest up.”
But oh so predictably you, your eyes widen upon hearing about Johnny. “He pulled a muscle? Is he alright? Is it gonna heal-”
John cuts you off with a quick kiss, grumbling again to shush you. “Quiet. Johnny’s just fine. He’d scold you for worrying about him in your state. So just relax, baby. You need to heal. Gave us all a big scare, yeah?” John’s voice is incredibly soft and soothing, talking you down from your panic, but you can hear the tremor of fear underlying his words.
You’ve scared him. Shaken the unshakeable, put ice into the soul of the legend. It may have been you, Lieutenant Price, trapped under that rubble, trapped and dying, but you’d almost taken Captain Price with you. The boys would reaffirm it later, telling you of how John lost his shit once you passed out again, lost his temper and control. He was normally a level and competent leader, but seeing the man he loved lying bleeding out under a collapsed building had snapped that. You’d nearly broken him. Broken your husband. You both knew injury and death was a very real possibility and reality in the service, but somehow you both believed it would never be you.
Tears well in your eyes. “Oh, god. I’m so sorry, love. I’m sorry, I must’ve scared you so bad.” You reach out with trembling hands and he takes them so gently. He’s so gentle with you, shushing you quietly and getting you settled back down. You’re not even fully aware of your own injuries yet, but a nurse finally bustles in to look you over, shooing John out despite your panicked reach for him. You don’t see it, but John takes the time you’re examined to go complain to the charge nurse, angry that the nurse steamrolled over your fear. Ever the protective husband he is.
As soon as you’re cleared, John is bustling right back into the room, managing to tuck himself into the hospital bed with you. He’s got your back to his chest, one arm banded around your waist while the other is outstretched, fingers intertwined with yours. His calluses are familiar, thumb rubbing over your palm. You’re firmly tucked into him, breathing low and evenly. Finally, you can relax. John may be a great deal firmer than the pillows you were laying against, but he’s warm and familiar. In his arms, you can feel properly safe and relaxed. You could almost even pretend that you’re at home.
It’s a nice moment, curled against John as he rumbles in semi contentment. You’re alive and expected to be on the mend quickly. You’d been lucky, with mostly minor injuries amongst the few major ones. There’d of course been the shrapnel in your arm, but you’d also earned yourself a fractured skull, broken leg, and another piece of shrapnel to the thigh. That, and about a million cuts, bruises, and other lacerations. John tells you that as he holds you, confirming to himself that you’re still alive. That you survived the blast. He tells you, voice so quiet and more afraid than you’ve ever heard him, that during the week of your coma, infection had set in on your arm.
It had been terrifying, but you’d come back from it, none the worse for wear. John talks and he talks, telling you all about the last week, letting go of it to fill the space. His heart is wrung out, soothing himself by resting you in his arms and making sure you’re caught up on the going ons of the 141. You’re quiet, just listening to the protective gruff of your husband’s voice. You barely remember the actual explosion, which is probably good considering how badly it fucked you up. But you do remember the moments before, and how the last thing you’d been doing was giving a report on your position. Which probably meant… oh, did John hear the bomb go off?
How long had you been out? How long was your husband made to wonder if you’d survived the blast? You shift, tapping your fingers against his until he quiets, voice quiet with guilt. “Did you hear it? The bomb?”
John flinches. You can feel it, laying against him like you are, and that flinch tells you all you need to know. “Yeah. Your radio was still on when it went off. All we heard was the boom though, and then you must’ve let go of the button.” The answer is whispered, his head bowed, face buried in the crook of your neck like he’s in prayer. “Longest fifteen minutes of my life to find you. Over half buried you were.”
You press back against him, humming softly. “‘M sorry…” You’re going to say more, to apologize again for the pain you’ve caused your husband, but he bites down on your neck. Bites you! Not hard, but still. And then he growls a little, the gravel leaking into his voice. “Stop apologizing. It wasn’t your fault. Christ, you scared me half to death, but it wasn’t your damn fault. You did the best thing you could have done. Lived.” The tension in the room drops as fast as it rose when he nips your neck again and jokingly admonishes you. “If you wanted attention that bad, love, all you had to do was ask. No need to go and have a building dropped on you.”
The giggle that comes out of you is like a waterfall, rich and unprompted. It’s exactly what John wanted to get out of you. He loves your laugh dearly and going a week without it had been hard enough. So he needs you to laugh now, needs to see you smile. You’re his husband, and you’re hurt and when it happened John was so far away from you that he couldn’t do anything. And now you’re hurt and all he can do is sit here and wait for you to heal. You’re hurt and he has to just… wait. He hates waiting. So the least he can do is make you laugh.
Because he doesn’t know what to do without that laugh. You’re snuggled up in his arms, giggling like a madman as he re-tells a series of Simon’s terrible jokes from the last week. John knows that for some reason you genuinely find Simon hilarious, and he wants to make you laugh, so he tells you all the ones he can remember. Because he’s desperate to keep you laughing. If you’re laughing, that means you’re awake and alive and happy in his arms. Not so fucking still.
Listening to you laughing chases away the shadows that have been plaguing your hospital room for the past week, while you’d been laying still and silent, unresponsive to any comments or jokes. Unresponsive and dead to the world in all ways but physical. It had changed something in John, watching you nearly die. Yes, he had you in his arms now, living and breathing. Yes, he’d watched other soldiers die under his command. He carried those names with him like stones, forever weighing him down, but even so… You had been different.
Watching you trapped under the rubble, holding you and trying to soothe you while you bled out had been one of the worst experiences of John’s life. Something he never wanted to go through again. He’s really getting into his head, grumbling and thinking, when you nudge him. Your head is tilted back to look at him, a worried furrow in your brow. Worried about him, like you’re not the one laid up in a hospital bed, broken after nearly dying. You nudge him again, and John realizes you must’ve said something that he didn’t respond to.
“Sorry, sweetheart. Was thinking, what’d you say?”
“I said, when are the boys going to come visit? I want to see how bad Johnny’s arm is.” You huff, sassing him after being ignored.
John grumbles at you. He doesn’t want the boys to visit yet. Wants to keep his husband all to himself. “They’ll visit when I let them. And Johnny’s arm is fine.”
“How do I know you aren’t just saying that so I don’t worry?”
You’re treated to a lighter version of the ‘captain scowl’ as John gruffs at you. “You don’t, but you can’t go anywhere to find out. ‘Sides, Johnny’s like a stress ball. He pops right back up as soon as ye let go of him.”
That makes you laugh again. He really does love your laugh. “I guess you’re right, love. But I still want to see the boys! I know it’s only been a bit but I want visitors.”
And that gets him laughing. Just a little though, John doesn’t want to jostle you from where you’re nestled against his chest. “What am I? Chopped liver? You want visitors, your poor old husband ain’t enough?”
He’s obviously joking, and you know that based on the elbow you bury into his ribs that has him coughing. “You know what I meant! I just want to see them myself, with my own two eyes. Considering the last time I saw them I was barely conscious. Just wanna check in.”
You’re a little fired up, but you settle when John kisses your cheek. “Gentle, sweetheart, gentle. Don’t want to strain your stitches, yeah?” You coo a little, settling against him, and John takes that as your agreement to be calm. “How about this, you rest for today, and I’ll bring the boys to see you tomorrow, yeah?” To John’s satisfaction, you start to nod to agree.
Of course, the quiet moment is ruined when the door swings open and the rest of the team piles in. Nosy little bastards, John can’t help but think. Johnny’s arm is indeed still in a sling, and you start fussing over him, which he quickly shuts down. Kyle gives you a gentle half hug, settling back and waiting for his turn to fill you in on the base gossip. And Simon starts with those awful jokes of his. John’s ready to start grumbling about how you shouldn’t be crowded, but you’re laughing in the chaos and he doesn’t want to ruin that. He really does love your laugh.
definitely went more of an angst heavy route w this one
leaning towards married men horny but no smut, just u wanting to see him w his shirt off
Hiking. Why did it always have to be hiking? Surely this man, your husband, spent enough bloody time trekking through the middle of nowhere that he didn’t need to drag you out here on the weekends too. This was supposed to be your vacation together, in between some of John’s missions. It was supposed to be relaxing, nice, easy, and soothing compared to John’s regular job of well… you know.
But no. He’d seen a hike recommendation in the hotel travel brochure and turned to you with stars in his eyes, all but vibrating in place. So of course you were going. As you struggle up the trail, hand in hand with John who is admittedly half towing you along, you know in your heart this was always going to happen.
Your husband is not the type of man to be contained, so you suppose for him, this is a holiday. Getting to drag the man he loves through a forest with no risk of danger further than a sprained ankle was probably as relaxing for him as sprawling out in the sun was for you. And you loved John. And this was supposed to be a holiday for him, to get away from the stress of being a military captain, so you would indulge him in this. For now. By god, you would get that man down to the pool if it killed you. You deserved a little treat for arranging this whole thing, and John in swim trunks definitely counted.
He slows to a stop on the trail, pulling you closer with an arm around your waist. You'd come to a break in the trees with a view of the forest spread out below you. Trees rolled out and down the hill, blanketing the world in green. It was absolutely beautiful, but you were mostly just happy that John was happy. He was a force of nature and if dragging you up and down a mountain made him happy, well then you would go.
You and John are at the top of the trail, ending partially up the cliffside. You may not enjoy hiking that much, nowhere near as much as John and his bone deep desire to be active, but you did love spending time with your husband. Sat at the top of the trail, you rest your head on his shoulder, leaning into his side.
After the last mission, John had come home wearier than you'd ever seen him, heavy with the self placed weight of the world on his shoulders. So you'd booked some time away, made sure John got the time off, and towed John away from the base. Away from the expectations of being anything except your husband. And it was helping, the sparkle in his eyes returning. If hiking all across the UK got him happy again, you'd do it. He'd gotten you out of funks before, and now it was your turn.
Soon enough, you two turn back, heading down the trail. It's a lovely day and John looks flushed with the happy pride of success. That expression only lasts for a moment though, because you slip, rolling your ankle in a dip on the trail and sliding a bit. Ow, to say the least. Soon enough, you're sat up against a tree with John looking at you in concern. He's checking your ankle, enough medical training to know whether it's sprained or not. Because it's definitely hurt in some way, based on the amount of pain you're in.
After a minute, John is rumbling out his opinion. "'S just a sprain, love. I'll have to carry you down though, you shouldn't put weight on it." Before you can protest, before you can respond, say it's 20 minutes back to the car, John! he's scooping you into his arms like you weigh nothing, your head tucked neatly against his chest.
So your force of nature husband carries you all the way back to the car with ease, setting you in the passenger seat like you're made of glass. Really, you shouldn't have been surprised that he could do it, considering what he does for work. Concern is still filling those icy blue eyes of his, and you reach out to press a kiss on his cheek. That gets him smiling again, leaning over you to give you a proper kiss, in his words. John Price is a man who loves his husband utterly, and always wants your affection.
After making it back to the hotel, John wraps your ankle with the med kit you're silently vowing never to tease him for bringing everywhere again. John's a loving man, a force of nature, and always prepared. It was one of the reasons you fell in love with him after all. But what you do do, instead of listening to him ordering you to stay in bed, is convince John to take you down to the pool.
You were going to suntan and admire your husband with his shirt off if it was the last thing you do. After he agrees, he helps you change into your trunks and gets sunscreen on you, probably enjoying rubbing his hands all over your chest too much. And admittedly, you do ogle him as he changes. A few years ago you'd bought him a pair of black trunks patterned with bananas as a joke, but John, ever the stubborn man, wore them every time he went swimming.
And you do enjoy your turn rubbing him down with sunscreen. Nice big man with a hairy chest. Your exact type, and the utter joy rising in you is a familiar feeling, one you get every time you remember you're married to him. When you're both finally ready, John carries you down to the hotel pool, getting you comfortable on one of the lounge chairs. So you finally got to lay out and ogle John as he did laps in the pool, because he still couldn't sit still.
Beautiful fucking man, and he was an amazing husband too. Damn, you were lucky.
50% inspired by this post and 50% because I saw a banana pattern swim trunks ad and had the desperate need to put John in them.
Summary: John Price finally puts an end to his wife being stalked.
Warnings: Sexual themes, violence, blood, murder, death, stalking, allusions to sexual assault, mentions of child endangerment, torture, mentions of war, kidnapping, PTSD, anxiety attack, not edited.
——————
“Jj, stop teasing your sister.”
“But mum-“ Jj had a cheeky smile on his face before he was interrupted.
“Oi, enough!” John voice barked from down the hall as he walked toward the kitchen.
Tonight was a good night with your family. You had finished up dessert which was an ice cream sundae feast. The kids were over the moon when you and John broke out all the toppings you bought as a surprise from the shop. You felt your heart swell watching John set up everything with a huge grin across his face. In the aftermath there was chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, marshmallows, and rainbow sprinkles all over the kitchen island that you were now cleaning up.
“Daddy!” Lily exclaimed and ran to John as he walked into the kitchen, his eyes fixed on you in his white t-shirt and a pair of your leggings.
His four year old was already in her pajamas and her hair damp from her bath. She wore pastel green pants with Grogu from the Mandalorian on them, and a white t-shirt with the same character. Lily ran straight into John’s leg and clung to him. A loud crack of thunder made your house shake as the heavy rain continued to beat down.
“Daddy you have to save me.” Tugging on John’s sweat pants he had to grip the waistband so Lily didn’t drag them down.
“Save you?” John asked before picking her up and then being clung to in a vice grip.
“Ow! Lily, go easy.” John hissed as Lily’s finger nails dug into the exposed skin of his bicep while the other tugged on his beard.
“Yeah or the forest will swallow her up!” Jj jumped off his chair as he shouted his teasing words at Lily. This made Lily whimper into John’s chest, her fingers tugging harder at John’s facial hair.
“Hey, I said stop it.” You scolded Jj who didn’t seem to take you seriously and continued to make scary faces, eerie noises, and wiggle his finger at Lily.
“Daddy.” Lily whined into John’s neck, one sapphire eye visible as she stared at her big brother.
“Stop trying to scare your sister. Her shadow does enough of that.” John’s joke had you lightly chuckling along with him.
He wasn’t wrong there. It didn’t take much to scare Lily and she did once scream and try to out run her shadow, not knowing what it was. She tripped and fell in her mad dash which only made things worse that day.
“Can I sleep with you and mummy?” Lily whispered to John so you couldn’t hear.
You and John tended to ping pong back and forth on who was a big softy. Lately John had been giving in to all the small requests and spoiling your children. Whereas you were setting limits because you thought they were getting out of control at times. Jj especially, for some reason he’d been teasing both his sisters to tears recently.
“I’ll have to ask your mum. . . but yes.” John whispered the last part. Lily giggled and gave him a kiss to the cheek while snuggling closer.
“Why’s there a man in the yard?” Evelyn asked.
She was standing by the backdoor and staring out into your pitch black backyard. With squinted crystal blue eyes she tilted her head to the side and then leaned forward to get a better look. Lily tensed up at her sister’s words and looked at John with wide eyes and a big frown.
“What did your mum just say?” John asked expectantly, one thick eyebrow quirked.
“But-“ Evelyn pointed, not taking her eyes off the yard.
“Stop trying to scare your sister. Bed, now.” John cut off Evelyn not giving her a chance to continue.
“But-“
“Evie, bed.” You jumped in a lot sweeter.
“Stop being fuckin’ stupid Evie, you’re gonna get us grounded.” Jj playfully jabbed. You gasped at the language and so did Lily.
“Stupids a bad word!” Lily looked at a John in shock. He couldn’t even address Jj’s language and burst out into a loud belly laugh.
“Watch the language.” You chuckled and Jj nodded with a cheeky eye roll.
Walking over to your oldest daughter you lightly guided her by the shoulders to head upstairs. With a kiss to the top of the head Evelyn followed her father and siblings as he brought them upstairs to tuck them in.
You went back to putting the dishes away and sipping on the glass of wine John poured you. It wasn’t common that you had wine during the week, it was more of a special occasion thing. But you had a feeling John was trying to get lucky tonight and he was bettering his chances by getting you liquored up.
Taking a sip you watched as your tri-colored border collie, Molly, slowly walked to the back door. She took her paw and lightly scratched at the glass for you to let her out. The look she cast in your direction was somehow filled with attitude that you were taking too long. With a big smile you walked over and unlocked the door. You grabbed a towel off the shoe rack to wipe Molly off when she came back in but you noticed the rain had stopped. Before opening the door you flicked on the patio light and went to let her out. Looking up into the yard you let out a blood curdling scream.
Just like Evelyn had said, there was a man standing in your yard.
You couldn’t make out any defining details only that he was large, maybe bigger than John in stature. He was a shadowy figure standing about fifty yards from the tree line but still a good distance from your home. Your scream didn’t seem to scare him off but instead you watched as he began to slowly walk toward your home. Molly began barking like crazy and jumping on the back door for you to let her out and chase this man off.
“Darling!?” John could be heard racing down the stairs.
You caught sight of him running down the hall in the reflection of the glass backdoor. Shifting your focus you realized that the man in the yard must have seen John too because he was now running full sprint toward the forest.
John realized what was happening in seconds. He saw a figure darting into the woods and he was already springing into action. It had to be the years in the military that had made him so observant. It was why he spotted the man in seconds and picked up on the sinister feeling hanging in the air. It was the same unsettling ambience that filled war zones, compounds he was infiltrating, or the stiff air of a morgue.
“Stay right there and watch.” John ordered you before locking the door and then dashing into the basement.
In this moment you weren’t his wife needing protection, you were an extension of himself that needed to help protect. Your children were upstairs and it would take an army to get to them. John instinctively knew whoever was out there had to get through him and you; and you were a lot more scrappy than you appeared. John knew you’d move mountains for your children, that their safety was your number one priority much like him.
You didn’t respond, fear paralyzed you in this moment, but you did as you were told. Keeping your eyes on the man you watched as he faded into the darkness of the woods and stopped. The glow of your patio flood light stretched far enough it created long shadows that stretched across your property but didn’t reach the woods. His figure was like watching a tea bag bleed into water, you could make out distinct shapes until it all faded together. You could just make the man out; his figure was darker than the tree line. He was now standing just on the edge of the woods, staring directly at you and in seconds he faded together with the blackened shadows of the forest.
“Why’d you stop running?” You whispered and stepped closer to the glass.
Your breath was shallow and eyes squinted as you tried to focus on where you last saw the man. It didn’t make sense to you why he started for the house when it was you but then ran a moment later. Molly had stopped barking but was aggressively growling in the same direction you had your gaze fixed on.
“Oh. You can’t see John.” The words came out in a shaky whisper, your breath making the glass fog, obscuring the figure staring back at you.
That’s when you saw your husband. John was back by your side with his gun in hand. You realized he had also slipped on a camouflage rain coat, his tactical boots, and boonie hat. As soon as you saw John you realized the blackened shape you’d been staring at was gone.
“He went straight ahead.” Pointing off to show where you saw the man disappear to, John was soon sprinting in the same direction.
You hadn’t even realized he unlocked the backdoor until you saw the back of John and heard his boots stomp against the stone of your patio. Molly was right behind John which surprised you. She normally moved slow but she was sprinting with John and slowly outrunning him. She knew exactly where she was going and it made you wonder if she picked up on the unknown scent. The sound of Mollys bark snapped you out of your trance and you quickly shut the back door and locked it.
You then turned and ran upstairs for your children. There was no guarantee this man was alone and your worst fear would be for someone else to try breaking in while John was off chasing the accomplices. The first room you went to was your sons. Jj was sitting up in bed reading his book and snapped it shut when you burst through the door.
“I’m sorry! I’ll go to bed.” Jj immediately apologized not thinking he’d get caught staying up to read.
“Get Evelyn up and go to my bathroom. Don’t turn on any lights.” The urgency in your voice would scare most children but it didn’t have that effect on Jj.
The protocol was to bring the kids to the basement but you weren’t sure if someone was able to get in without you knowing. You were scared, petrified something was going to happen and you were the last line of defense to keep your children safe. This fear kept you from doing what you and John practiced.
It was like a switch flipped in Jj’s head as he slipped on his slippers and ran to Evelyn’s room. You were then in Lily’s bedroom and grabbed her. She was lying on her back talking to her stuffed animals and holding her penguin stuffy over her head. Any other night you’d watch her lovingly from the door and admire how cute Lily was.
“Mummy!” Lily gasped as she was snatched out of bed.
“Shhh. We’re playing hide and seek with daddy and we have to be very quiet.” You whispered to your daughter who seemingly believed you.
“Fun.” She giggled and kicked her feet as you ran to your room.
Locking the bedroom door behind you, you grabbed the blanket off the foot of your bed and then dashed into the bathroom. Evelyn and Jj were sitting in the bathtub which was exactly where you were going to tell them to sit. You took Lily and placed her in Jj’s lap. There was a silent understanding between you two that he was to look after his sisters.
“Stay quiet.” You smiled reassuringly to your little girls.
“Daddy will never find us.” Lily giggled.
“Perfect spot for hide and seek.” This was your attempt to get your kids on board with the lie you told Lily.
Giving each child a kiss to the tops of their heads you took the large plush blanket and made sure they were all covered up to stay warm. You pulled the curtain back to conceal where they were and rolled into your next move.
Making your way back into your bedroom you grabbed the skeleton key and locked the door. You wee locking your babies in the bathroom to keep them safe, god forbid something happened to you. Your next step was to grab the serrated Bowie knife John hid in the false bottom of his nightstand. It felt clinical how you moved. The underlying fear seemed to fade into the background as you did everything John had coached you to do.
Grabbing your cell phone you called the police first and then your father second. You placed one final call just in case John needed help in a different kind of way than the police could offer. The phone rang twice before the person answered clearly out of breath.
“Indy, kinda late-“
“Soap! I know you’re dating that girl- ugh- uh- what’s her name- uh- maybe if you didn’t sleep with so many of my friends I’d remember! The one with kids. Are you at her place?” You yelled and babbled out.
You could hear sheets rustling and a female voice asking something faintly in the background. The voice grew louder and more agitated but you didn’t care at the moment. Soap had been dating one of the moms at Lily’s daycare and she happened to live near by. You were praying he was at her place for the night.
“Yeah, everything alright? I’m kinda in the middle of s-”
“Some creep was standing outside the house and John chased him into the woods. I don’t know if he needs help-“ You were babbling again and hadn’t noticed you were crying.
“I’ll be there in five minutes.” Soap could be heard shuffling around quickly and you assumed he was getting dressed.
“Thank you! Flash your headlights so I know it’s you.”
“On my way.”
Those five minutes felt like an eternity. But soon enough you saw headlights pulling up your driveway and then they flashed four times. Seeing that it was Soap you slid the knife into the holster you had secured to the back of the waist band of your leggings. You left your bedroom and locked the door behind you. Jogging downstairs you met Soap on your patio.
Soap looked disheveled. His hair was sticking up in odd direction and he was flushed. You were use to seeing Soap in jeans but tonight he wore grey joggers that left nothing to the imagination. His grey crewneck had a lipstick smudge by the collar and what you assumed was red wine dribbled down the front. The only thing that made him look ready to help was the pistol in his hand and scuffed military boots.
“John took off that way with his gun, Molly followed too.” You pointed into the woods where John had ran off to.
“Alright, hold on to this.” Soap smacked a walkie talkie into your hand and the gun he was holding in the other.
You physically reacted to now holding a gun and held it as far away from you as you could manage. It looked like it grossed you out the way your face twisted in disgust. Soaps eyebrows scrunched together and he looked at the gun that you were acting like it was a dead animal he handed you.
“Don’t be scared of it. Just point and pull the trigger.” Soap took off running in the direction of your husband after he was done speaking.
You watched as he pulled out another gun from the back of his waist band and you wondered how many guns the members of 141 had hidden just in case they needed them. You knew John’s arsenal and were constantly on his case to get rid of some.
Before Soap even reached half way across the yard John was walking out of the woods with Molly following close behind. You couldn’t make out if he was okay from this distance but you noticed he was alone. Part of you thought he’d be dragging someone by the hair out of the woods or that he’d be covered in blood with a dead body slung over his shoulder.
“You get your hands on him Cap?” Soap called. He stopped halfway into your yard and waited for John to join him in walking back to your home.
You watched from the lit patio as the two conversed quietly. It made you wonder what information John was passing along. The two continued to quietly converse as they walked back over to you.
“Slippery fucker.” John cursed, his frustration evident.
“How’d he get away?” You heard Soap ask as you impatiently waited on the patio.
The night air bit at your exposed skin, making you shiver. Your bare feet were tingling against the cold stone. There was a pebble sticking to the bottom of one of your feet and uncomfortably pressing into your skin. Standing on one foot you picked it off with the hand holding the walkie talkie. You didn’t notice how by keeping your balance you were waving around your other hand.
“Woah, easy there. Don’t need you putting a hole in either of us.” John had both hands on you, one on your wrist and the other taking the gun from your hand. After you were disarmed John answered Soaps question.
“His car was parked on some trail deep in the woods. He took off before I could grab him. Molly took a bite out of him though.” Handing the gun back to Soap John cast another unimpressed look at you for your lack of gun safety. Soap knelt down and slipped the gun into a holster around his ankle.
“Really? Good girl.” You squatted down and gave Molly some much deserved scratches. You ignored John’s look, he knew your distain for guns. You checked Molly’s teeth and mouth to make sure she wasn’t hurt.
“I’ll be picking her up a steak tomorrow.” John patted her on the head and then she finally walked off to go pee like she originally had to.
“You broken?” You stopped John from walking by you and lightly took him by the shoulders. You used his phrase to hopefully dampen the tension. Looking him over you saw he was a bit muddy but not a scratch on him.
“Far from broken, darling.” You loved hearing those words and you swooned even harder when John placed a firm kiss to your forehead. Warping a strong arm around your waist John lead you inside and motioned for Soap to follow.
The three of you went inside and you went to grab your children. John told you he’d put a kettle on while you got everything back in order; including yourself. Somehow you managed to shove the fear crackling through your bones down and be the mother your children needed. You had them all back in bed easily and Jj was the only one to ask questions. He came to the conclusion that this was practice in case something bad ever happened. Just like the time you practiced what he and his sisters needed to do if there was ever a fire.
Once downstairs you could hear Soap and John talking. Your nerves were beginning to fray. Keeping it together for this long felt unnatural. You felt like a robot getting your kids back to bed. Cuddling Evelyn as she babbled about wanting to go to the park tomorrow, organizing Lily’s stuffed animals on the bed in your room to sleep with you, and telling Jj everything was alright; it was like an out of body experience. It was auto pilot to get them all settled and now finally you were coming back to your senses.
“Yeah, Indy called while I was mid thrust. Should’ve seen Saoirse’s face when I picked up the ph-“
“Charming.” You scrunched your nose at Soaps crass remark.
You weren’t one for dirty banter unless it was with John. It sounded like locker room talk to you which you disapproved of. You didn’t think John would normally entertain that kind of talk but Soap seemed comfortable talking like that.
“Sorry. Didn’t see you there.” Soap laughed awkwardly. You were giving him a disapproving look which had him feeling like a naughty school boy.
“That how you talk about me?” You asked John who snorted at the idea.
“Oh, I go into much more detail.” His joke wasn’t funny to you and he put his hands up in defense before you gave him a tongue lashing.
“I’m only joking.” John added.
“The kids are back in bed.” You changed the subject before you started questioning your husband.
You grabbed the cup of tea John prepared for you. The mug lightly swayed in your shaky hands as you brought the warm liquid to your mouth.
“You alright?” Soap asked. He was staring at you with concern and that was when you noticed John also looked worried.
“Not really. That was fucking scary.” As you spoke you noticed how your words were in a higher register and you stuttered slightly.
John was by your side now, one large hand lightly stroking your back. His other hand came up and pushed your hair out of your face and behind your ear. Leaning in he whispered in your ear that he loved you and you had nothing to worry about.
“Did you get a good look at him?” John asked once he pulled away.
“No. What’s weird is he started walking toward the house until he saw you. He ran but stopped at the edge of the woods when you went into the basement. It’s like he only stared when he knew you couldn’t see him. . . Like he knew I couldn’t defend myself.” The last sentence came out breathy and you gritted your teeth at the realization.
“Well I’m here to stay. So if I’m what scares him off then he won’t be coming ‘round again.” John spoke adamantly. His hand went from stroking your back to gripping your hip and bringing you close. John had you tucked under his arm and by his side, firmly in his hold.
“Think Evie got a good look?” You asked which made John frown down at you.
“Feel like a fool for not believing her.” He ran his free hand ran down his face.
“Me too. We owe her an apology.” You placed your face in your hands feeling like an absolute idiot.
“Oh and would’ya look at that. Police thirty minutes late like usual.” Soap scoffed.
——————
It was an early Friday morning with the suns orange hues streaming through the windows of your kitchen. Breakfast was laid out on the table. A plate of eggs, bowl of beans, toast, sautéed mushrooms, and cut up fruit sat already picked over. Jj was scraping the last of the beans onto his plate with his tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth. Lily had her open mouth pressed up to the side of her plate as he shoveled her eggs into her mouth that way. Before this method of eating, her eggs kept falling off her fork and made a mess on the floor that Molly was cleaning up.
“Do you have to go?” Lily asked with a mouth full of her breakfast.
Evelyn was wrapped around John’s leg like she had been for the past half hour. She was sat on his foot with her legs tight wound around his calf and arms locked around his knee. John didn’t say much about it but instead hobbled around the first floor with her attached to him. Usually if he allowed her to act out or be on the difficult side it made saying goodbye easier. John wasn’t sure why but you told him it’s because it made her feel important. That even when she was being difficult she felt the extra love with his patience.
“Yes. I’ll only be gone the weekend.” John reassured Lily who frowned at him.
“But there’s a new episode of Bluey.” She protested. A big pout formed on her face since John wouldn’t be here to watch it with her.
“We can watch it together when I get back.” John chuckled.
He found it cute that a new episode of Bluey should be enough for him to call out of work. Hobbling by you John started to help you finish up cleaning the kitchen.
“Not fair.” Lily mumbled.
“Don’t worry Lil, you’ll get use to dad having to jet off randomly.” Jj thought he was reassuring his little sister but it was like daggers to John’s heart.
John audibly scoffed, face dropping and looking to you for comfort. You only shrugged not knowing what to say. Jj was right in a sense but to you it was something you had still never gotten use to. You went back to your task ignoring your husband’s silent plea for reassurance.
“You okay over there?” John asked, you were taking up bread making and kneading the life out of some dough.
“Fine.” You mused not looking at John.
You were taking out your anxiety on this pour ball of dough. At this rate you were going to bake the world’s densest loaf of bread. All because you couldn’t stomach John being gone for the weekend.
“Soap’s going to be five minutes away. Whatever that was last week was just a freak one off. It’s been resolved with some handcuffs.” John tried out humor which didn’t seem to work. You simply kneaded harder and blew the fallen strands of hair out of your face.
“How are you so sure of that?” It was almost inaudible as you were snarky back. John had spent hours at this point reassuring you everything would be okay.
“Darling, we left my car on base for two nights in a row to make it look like I wasn’t home and there was nothing. I stayed up both nights on lookout.” John had hobbled over to you to try and get you to look at him.
You continued your task, ignoring the burn in your arms.
“The neighbor was arrested. We saw him getting arrested two days ago on our run. Remember?” Taking his index finger John hooked it under your chin and turned your head to look at him. His eyes were kind but he was met with a scowl from you.
“Yeah I remember.” You sighed. This didn’t quell your anxiety.
In fact it made you more uneasy that John was so sure. Your gut told you something was still wrong and John dismissed it as nerves. You two had been bickering about you trusting his judgment and you telling him to trust your intuition.
“Yeah! The policeman who doesn’t like our chickens was there!” Lily exclaimed as she told Jj details to a story he’d already heard. Jj looked back at his little sister with a dead pan expression, he was annoyed at her constant repeating as of late.
“Yeah? Was dad pushing you in the stroller since you’re such a big baby you didn’t wanna stay here with papa?” Jj’s retort had Lily’s lip wobbling.
She had thrown an absolute fit about wanting to join you and John on your run. John gave in and popped her in the stroller and took her along with the two of you that day. Lily got a front row seat to the neighbors arrest. You and John watched everything unfold along with some fellow neighbors.
“I’m not a baby!” Lily shouted back.
“Yeah? News to me.” With an eye roll Jj went back to eating.
“Mummy!” Lily shrieked unable to deal with her brother’s curtness.
“Jj.” You and John both used a stern tone as you warned Jj to knock it off.
“Sorry. Sorry. Let’s all pretend she’s not a big cry baby who always gets her way. I use to think Evie was a brat but Lily takes the cake.” The sass was getting on your nerves and before you or John could reprimand the attitude Jj was getting up.
“I’ll go to my room. It’s worth saying the truth.” He huffed and brought his plate to the sink.
“And-“ John started but Jj cut in again.
“I’ll put the switch on your bed don’t worry.” You couldn’t see him at this point because he was halfway down the hall but you could tell by his tone he rolled his eyes.
“What are we gonna do with him?” John looked at you dumbstruck. You ignored his question and went back to what was weighing on your mind.
“Maybe me and the kids should stay with my dad.” You suggested.
“Would that make you feel better? You can come back during the day, you I’ll get the house to yourself for a few hours.” John rolled right back into the conversation from before. Your comfort was much more important than his preteens rudeness.
“Doesn’t sound half bad.” The idea of having the house to yourself was too good to pass up on. Being here by yourself during the day didn’t feel scary.
“So you want to get rid of us!?” Evelyn accused you from where she sat on the floor still hugging John’s leg.
“We’d sell you if it wasn’t illegal.” John joked which made Evelyn gasp.
“C’mon they’d return them all by sundown.” You added on with a laugh. This seemed to rile up your oldest daughter.
“Good! At least someone would take me cuz no one’s gonna want a stinky old man! And they’d give Lily back for being such a cry baby!” Evelyn hissed. Your eyebrows scrunched together at the shot taken at Lily was was minding her own business. You looked up to see her with her mouth agape like a trout and a strawberry in hand.
“I’m not old.” John said with a straight face.
“I’m not a baby!” Lily shouted.
“Stop it. I don’t know why you and your bother are teasing your sister but it’s enough.” You warned.
“Evie. Say I’m not a baby.” Lily whined. Evelyn rolled her eyes and tossed her head back.
“You’re not a baby.” Evelyn groaned. She only said it so Lily wouldn’t cry. That seemed to be enough for Lily who went back to eating.
“I have to make sure my dad’s free.” You said while shaking your head at your children’s antics
“Why wouldn’t he be? That posh lady broke up with him.” Evelyn was staring up at you, still wrapped around John’s leg.
“Cold, Evelyn.” You laughed.
Your father dating history had been a slew of women who you thought were lack luster. John tried to get you to give them a chance but you brushed him off saying they would never stick around long.
“Now go sit.” Finally you ushered Evelyn off of John and over to the kitchen table to eat her cold breakfast.
“Fine.” Evelyn let go of John and stomped over to the table.
“Darling it’ll be okay.” John who was now able to move around freely and came up behind you and wrapped you in his arms. Those large rough hands you loved so much slid down your arms until his hands encompassed yours. Slowly moving them away from the bread dough, John’s breath was now in your ear.
“Yeah?” You softly asked.
John was going against his better judgment as he told you this. He felt safe and assured that nothing would happen. The problem had been taken care of and there was no way your neighbor was getting out of jail while he was away. John had looked into the charges and chose to keep them to himself but with how worried you seemed it was time to share.
“Look, neighbors been arrested for violating a restraining order of a woman he was stalking. It wasn’t the only restraining order he had put against him. He’s not around to do anything.” John spoke softly, wrapping his arms back around you and hugging you close to his chest.
“John, Officer Parker said it’s not him.” Turning your head to the side you looked up at John who wore a crooked smile.
“You really trust the police to do a good job?” The question hung in the air longer than you liked. You weren’t sure what your answer should be or if you even agreed with John’s sentiment.
“Anyway, I’ll have Soap check in on you throughout the day.” Letting you go John shrugged and gave you a kiss to the cheek, his beard leaving behind the usual scratchy feeling.
“So you’re not convinced it’s the nephew!?” Whipping around you had your finger in John’s face. He chuckled deeply and moved your hand back down to your side.
“I am convinced, you’re the one who’s not. But you know me darling. Not one to take chances when it comes to something as precious as you and the kids.” John was being sweetly flirtatious and you weren’t sure if you should blush or get him to be more serious.
“Well, I still have to call my dad. I’d feel okay if Soap was here for the weekend while you’re away-if my dad’s busy.” The thought of Soap spending the weekend finally quelled the anxiety that had taken root in your chest. Soap would keep you and your children safe, you were sure of that.
“Well he’s not staying here. The man can barely keep it in his pants as is, and I don’t need you falling for whatever charm he has that makes women flock to him in droves.” Talking with his hands John then shook his head in what seemed to be frustration and went to grab something from the fridge.
“John.” You whined at his reasoning.
“Stay with your dad and come by in the morning. You’ll get to enjoy the house to yourself. I’ll have Soap stop by in the morning and then see you off mid afternoon.” John’s mind was made up on how things would go and you could only roll your eyes at him.
“A lot of precautions for someone who thinks I’m safe.” You muttered.
“I know you’re safe but you wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I did all this.” Kissing your temple John grabbed a tub of ice cream and popped the lid off. Before you could move John snatched you around the waist and purred in your ear.
“Let’s send the kids to your dad’s tonight and you can show me how much you’ll miss me.” John flirted.
You rolled your eyes with a giggle and grabbed spoons. John was right and you would’ve bugged him to do all this but he had beaten you to it. With it just being you home you didn’t see the harm. It would be nice to have the house to yourself.
“And stop rolling your eyes. You wonder why the kids do it when they’re giving us attitude.” It sounded playful with a twist of seriousness and you subconsciously rolled your eyes again. This earned a firm smack to your bottom.
——————
“Hey, I miss you and clearly you miss me too. The flowers are beautiful. Who’d you get to drop them off? Ended up staying at your sisters last night, had too much wine to drive to my dads. Anyway got here pretty early and slept off the hangover. I didn’t even hear who stopped by with the flowers cuz I slept in for once. Ha! Crazy huh? Me sleeping in. Feels like a dream. Welp, I miss you and can’t wait to see you on Monday. Be safe and come back in one piece. I love you John.” You hung up, wondering when John would get a chance to check his voicemail.
You loved leaving him long winded voicemails. The first time you ever did it was when you were dating. John gushed about it on the way home from you picking him up from the airport. He went on and on about how hard it was to not get to talk to you when he wanted, so to have a voicemail where it was like having a conversation made everything feel better. So you never stopped doing it and whenever John called back he prattled on like the conversation was fresh and not hours, days, or weeks old.
The roses on the kitchen counter were gorgeous which was what spurred on that voicemail. Long stemmed and in the vase you inherited from your mother. It was a Persian blue vase that was portrayed in one of your mother’s painting hanging up in your bedroom.
Cocking your head to the side you stared at the vase for a minute longer. Something was prying at your mind, something unsettling. This vase was suppose to be in your office. You had it put away, packaged neatly and safely so it could never be damaged. That was the entire point of why the painting was hung up. So you could still see it but not risk it ever being broken.
You couldn’t remember if you told John where you had put it. It was making you wonder if he had gone through your office to find it. But why would he do that, when John knew not to take this out considering the last time he brought out one of your mother’s vases it was shattered by mistake.
Reaching forward you plaid with one of the fallen rose petals on the counter. Your mind was stuck on the Persian blue vase. No way were these delivered by an outside source. There was no way a stranger could get into your home. So it had to be someone you knew. John would never ask any of his family members to go rifling through your office. Maybe Soap was the one to drop them off when he checked on you this morning, but still why would he go in your office. The only person John would ever ask to do that was your father.
So, you called your dad.
“Hey, why didn’t you stay for breakfast? Hope taking mums vase out didn’t upset you. I know how certain things of hers hurt a little bit more than others. Anyway, thanks for doing that so John could surprise me. Call me back.” Hanging up you eye’d the flowers one more time before going to make yourself breakfast.
Your day continued from there. It was nice having the house to yourself. It almost never happened so when you found yourself eating junk food all day while watching tv you decided you had to do at least one productive thing. Soap had stopped by again and told you he’d be seeing you off around 5. Around dinner time you had just finished throwing a load of laundry in when your phone rang.
A large grin spread across your face. Illuminated on your phone screen was a picture of John looking content. He was buried in the sand from his waist down with a margarita in hand and wearing his boonie hat. It was from your last holiday abroad and like every beach vacation he let the kids bury him in the sand. It was a ploy to tire them out, not have to run around with them, and get his drinks served directly to him.
“Hey-“
“What flowers?” John’s voice was deadly serious.
You were a bit taken aback. You were expecting charm, or a flirty greeting. Instead you got demanding words that made you feel weightless for a second.
“Uh, there’s flowers on the kitchen island. Roses to be specific, the long stem that I like. Th-they’re in my mums blue vase that I keep in my office.” You stuttered a bit.
There was this feeling of dread taking over. Maybe John forgot he told your dad to do this. Or maybe your dad just did it to be sweet and you should call him again to check. Soap could’ve done it and John pulled out the vas before he left. John calling you and sounding so serious was raising the alarm bells in your head.
“Darling, I didn’t order you flowers.” John sounded even, almost too calm.
You gulped down the rock forming in your throat. There had to be an explanation. John said you were safe, you believed you were safe. Soap checked up on you twice today, how could you be anything but safe.
“Maybe my dad stopped by-“
“He has the kids. You really think they wouldn’t have come and woke you up?” John’s words were making your head feel staticky.
“Who put them there?” You whispered.
Your heart was beating so loud it was making your ears ring. You stepped out into the kitchen for a moment and looked to see if anything else was out of place. The setting sun was casting scattered hues of purples and oranges across your colorful kitchen.
Your eyes slowly moved over the room and stopped at the roses standing tall in the center of the kitchen island. The way your head moved felt like a magnet slowly pulling you to look at the slightly ajar basement door. The whites of your eyes felt dry as you stared at it, phone pressed to your ear and hand shaking. That door had been closed all day and no one but you was home to open it.
“Where are you?” John’s thick voice interpreted your thoughts. Taking a step back into the laundry room you slowly started to shut the door.
“The laundry room. Th-the basement door- it- it’s crack-ed.” You whispered.
“Lock the doors and stay in there. There’s a tool box on the shelf above the dryer. I hid a knife in there, grab it. Soap will be there soon. I’m going to call you right back.” John spoke to you calmly to hopefully keep you from freaking out.
This was a situation that had his heart about to leap out of his throat. The fact he wasn’t there to handle whatever was happening terrified him. He could only imagine the fear you were facing being home alone with a possible threat in your home.
“Shouldn’t I hide in my office like we’ve planned? Maybe I opened the door and just forgot? I can be forgetful! I-I must have done it!” This was always the plan if anything bad happened. It was to hide in your office. You couldn’t come to terms with the truth staring you straight in the face.
“No. Stay exactly where you are and do what I said. Soap will be there soon.” John spoke forcefully this time. With the facts presented to him he had a good idea what would play out if you went down those basement stairs.
“J-John.” His name came out in a broken sob.
John could hear you fumbling around as quietly as you could. The sound of the toolbox rattling from your shaky hands had his heart beating faster. Your ragged breathing was blowing the speaker out and light sniffles were audible.
“Yes?” John asked.
“I love you.” You spoke with desperation and John could hear it in your voice.
“I love you too. I’ll call right back. Hold tight.” John kept composed for you and your sanity.
You weren’t sure how much time passed. All you knew is it was enough for you to lock yourself in the laundry room, grab the switch blade, and squat in the corner like a cowering animal.
Your phone buzzed and you saw it was John.
“John- I’m scared.”
“It’s okay. Soaps a few minutes away.” The gravely tone of Jones voice helped you feel safe for a brief moment until you realized he was still over seas. It was a hard pill to swallow that John wasn’t near by to protect you. You trusted Soap but no one would fight for you the way John would.
“Who could’ve- why would they- how’d they know about my mums vase? Where I put it? What it means to me?” You babbled out.
“Darling, I’m going to be honest with you-“ John paused and you heard him taking a deep breath.
“I think he’s in the house and I think it’s someone you know personally.” John’s words had you straightening with a chill running up your spine. It felt like you were going to be sick.
“H-how? Where?” You asked.
“I don’t know. . . but I think your office. Why else would the vase be out if not to have you go downstairs and check on things.” John seemed rushed as he explained his reasoning. He didn’t want you to be anymore scared than you originally were but he wanted you to be prepared for the worst.
“When are you coming home?” You began to weep down the line. Pathetic sobs echoed down the line turning John’s rage white hot.
“Making arrangements as soon as Soap gets there.” John spoke to no response. All he could hear were your quiet fearful sobs on the line.
You weren’t sure why you did it but you crawled over to the door that led to your kitchen. Unlocking it with shaky hands, you cracked it open the tiniest bit. The kitchen table sat between the laundry room and basement door. But you could just peer through the chair and table legs to see the door still ajar.
Your heart stopped in that moment. In the orange glow of the setting sun you saw one eye so dark it looked black staring right at you. Unblinking and with a vacant stare the one eye watched you in such a predatory way you couldn’t look away. Terror had clutched so tightly it stole the air from your lungs. You could make out just the edge of a nose with pale skin, sunken eye so wide it was unnatural, and in this moment you had never been more scared in your life. Your bladder gave out and you stared back as you looked death in the eye.
“Darling? Are you okay?” John asked once he heard your ragged breathing stop.
Not taking your eyes off the person staring at you, you shut the door and locked it again. You were dead, there was no making it out of this alive. And in the moment where fear should be the most prevalent it washed away like the tide on the shore. Clutching the knife firmly in your hand you gritted your teeth and prepared yourself to fight for your life.
“Someone’s in the basement. I opened the laundry room door for a second to see if the coast was clear and he was staring back at me from the bottom corner of the door.” The calmness spooked even your husband.
It was not a fault of yours but in moments of fight or flight you tended to freeze up. So to hear you so calm like you were ready to brave the storm sent shivers through John’s body. You clearly knew how much worse this was than he did.
Knocking sounded on the side door of the laundry room that lead out to the drive way. You clamped your hand over your mouth to keep yourself from screaming. Breathing out through your nose with eyes bugging out of your head you scrambled for it. On your feet you went to fling the door open but stoped yourself. You had no idea who was on the other side, you’d assumed it was Soap.
“Indy, it’s me. Open up.” The familiar sound of Soaps voice made you gasp.
Flinging the door open Soap stood there dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt. His hair was neatly done and he stared back at you with an even expression. There was that look in his eyes that John would get at times that you could never quite name. To you seemed animalistic, like a need to kill.
Soap took in the sight of you. Bleary eyed, sweating like you’d run a marathon, and a dark wet patch running down your left leg. You were petrified, unable to find words and you simply shook and stepped out on to the driveway.
“C’mon, in the car now.” In one fluid motion Soap had taken the knife from your hands and had you by the elbow.
He lead you quickly and firmly over to his truck and opened the door and practically shoved you in. Soap was at the drivers side in a flash and soon was peeling out of your driveway. With one hand on the wheel Soap began to search around for something in the back seat until he pulled out a pair of his sweat pants and handed them to you.
“Put those on and chuck the ones you’ve got on in the back.” Soap focused on the road his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel.
The boys in 141 had become rather protective of you, each in their own ways. Having known you for this long you’d created a friendship with them. But after seeing you kidnapped and Soap being the one to find you and carry you out, he had become particularly protective.
“I won’t look.” He added but that didn’t seem to matter to you.
You were already shucking off your soiled jeans and panties and sliding into Soaps grey sweatpants. You noticed how soft they felt and they smelled of lavender making you wonder if his new girlfriend had washed them for him. It was a nice distracting thought from the panic setting your skin ablaze.
“You alright?” Soap asked and then looked at you.
He’d forgotten how he said he would not look and accidentally saw half your bare ass as you slid his sweatpants on. It was obvious you were not alright. Your hair was a mess, eyes bloodshot and puffy, and teeth bared as you held back what seemed to be sobs. Soap was astonished by your ability to hold yourself together. You were safe now and still trying to be strong.
“He-he’s in the h-Ouse.” It felt like acid spewed from your mouth as you said those words.
“Ghost is almost there and he’ll be searching your home.” Soap spoke and placed a hand on your knee as a way to comfort you.
It was that touch that had everything crashing down. The image of the unblinking eye staring back at you was seared into your minds eye. Your trembling hands started to shake violently and your head was spinning.
“Soap, pull over.” You gasped and began coughing.
“What, why?” Soaps head snapped to look at you like you were crazy. You were on a busy road it wasn’t particularly safe to pull over.
“I’m gonna be sick.” You clamped your hand over your mouth as you felt your stomach about to betray you.
Soap immediately pulled off to the side of the road. He watched as you practically tumbled out of the passenger seat and were profusely sick. It was a shock to him that this was enough to get you reacting like that. You wouldn’t last a minute with 141 if this is how you handled stress. But then it started to occur to him that you were a civilian. This wasn’t something you knew how to handle or could compartmentalize.
It started to make sense to Soap why your youngest, Lily, was so sensitive. Soap always wondered who she got it from or if it was just how Lily was. That incredibly friendly and confident demeanor you had did not help you under stress. In fact you were a bit of an anxious wreck under pressure and Lily was too. Soap didn’t know but you had reacted the same way Lily did when John yelled at her. Only you were staring death in the face.
Getting back in to the car with watery eyes you nodded at Soap to keep driving. You felt somewhat better after being sick. That didn’t stop the tears from flowing as you continued to cry.
“You okay?” Soap had no idea how to comfort you, he never really knew what to do when a woman started crying. John warned him you would be a whirlwind but this was a lot more than Soap could understand.
“No.” You sobbed into your hands.
“It’ll be okay.” Soap sounded unsure but it was more from your emotional reaction.
“I just- I can’t stop thinking what would’ve happened if I didn’t send the kids for a sleep over with my dad.” You wailed, absolutely inconsolable.
Things would have been different if your children were home. You didn’t know what you would’ve done if you were attacked while they were home. Or if one of them went into the basement without you knowing. There was no doubt in your mind you would have ended up dead with the kids home. That Jj would’ve had to take his sisters and run while you fought to give them a head start.
“I- I don’t know. But you would’ve kept them safe.” Soap didn’t sound like he believed himself and you weren’t sure you did either.
You versus a man the size of John. A man who out ran your husband, took a dog bite like it was nothing and got away. Yes, you would’ve fought with every fiber of your being to keep your children safe; but would you have actually been able to fight him off and keep your children safe?
“I’m gonna be sick again.”
——————
Soap had taken you to Ghost and Dove’s house after picking you up. It was a complete shit show when you walked through their front door. Dove immediately brought you to her room where you had a panic attack and ended up crying in her arms. At one point she excused herself and you thought it was to attend to her children. You showered and she gave you some clothes to wear.
You were there for hours, the night sky had taken over and midnight approached. You hadn’t heard from John but Soap informed you he was to stay by your side at all times; it was ‘Captains orders.’ You had calmed down significantly with Dove’s help. It reminded you why she was such a huge asset to 141 during the time she served with them years ago. Ghost had mentioned her proclivity in calming down prisoners of war and she was truly your godsend.
You were sitting at her circular kitchen table having tea with her and Soap. Food wasn’t appealing so you ignored her insistence on your eating something. Soap ate enough for the two of you which was a pleasant distraction. You had called your dad and wished each one of your children goodnight. It was the only solace you could find in the situation and you cried over the picture of all three of them asleep in the guest bed at your father’s flat.
It seemed that things had finally cooled down for you. That the world wasn’t crashing down anymore. Dove and Soap both assured you Simon had things handled and to just give it time. So that was what you did until he walked through his back door dressed in all black with his balaclava on.
“Ghost! What happened was everything-“ You were standing up ready to ask a million questions. Dove was quick to stand with you and place her hand on your shoulder to keep you calm.
“Did you go into your basement at all during the day?” Simon asked which instantly put you on edge.
“Uh- no. No I hung around the first floor all day. I-I saw someone some-some psycho staring at me through the cracked basement door right before Soap got me.” You words tumbled out and you were shaking all over again. You would never be able to get that image out of your head.
“Soap, cmon, need your help.” And with that Simon was exiting and heading back to his truck. That wasn’t enough for you. You shrugged Dove off and dashed outside to confront Simon.
“Wait what happened!? W-was the guy in my office!” You demanded. Simon turned on his heels, startling you at his quick movement.
You jumped backward and coward at his hulking frame, flinching as if he were about to strike you. Simon faltered for a moment seeing you like this. He was use to seeing you as a spitfire who loved giving him a hard time. Now wasn’t the time for him to pretend like he didn’t like you. In fact some softness for once was in order and he realized that. Placing a hand gingerly on your shoulder it was a surprise to you he could have such a gentle touch. You assumed everything he grasped would crack and crumble beneath his grip.
“There’s nothing you need to worry about now. Get some rest, no one will be bothering you again.” Ghost spoke with such certainty it made you know exactly what he meant without him actually saying it.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” With a trembling lip you watched as Simon shook his head in conformation to the silent question hanging in the air.
“C’mon Indy, I set up the couch for you.” Dove grabbed your hand a moment later and lead you inside to sleep for the night.
——————
Wheezing metal, thudding of belonging against the truck bed, and tires snapping twigs and branches underneath the weight of three murderous men cut through the heavy air. The night was pitch black, the only light being the yellow glow of the trucks headlights. Ghost and Soap were taking John Price out into the woods.
“How the hell did he get past you?” John seemed aggravated with Soap.
John hadn’t even stopped in to see you. He headed straight here once his boots touched home soil. Dove assured John you were safe and okay. As much as it pained him, John knew you could wait while he finished handling things.
“Flowers weren’t there when I checked on her in the morning. We only talked on your front porch that afternoon and she was getting ready to head out after she did some laundry. Never brought up the flowers.” Simon wasn’t happy with Soaps response.
“Doesn’t fucking matter. You should have checked the house.” Simon snapped aggressively.
“She told me not to worry. That it would be indecent for me to come in. Not sure why.” Soap answered matter of factly.
John knew why you’d told Soap not to worry. You were getting your own alone time which had included some delicate items left out on your bed that you were embarrassed for Soap to see. So you sent him away not thinking much of it and protecting your privacy.
“She wouldn’t have let Soap search the house. So drop it.” John wasn’t going to get into it. It was obvious enough in his mind and he didn’t see any reason to humiliate you more than you currently felt.
“When I got there the power was cut. Would have forced her down to the basement to fiddle with the circuit breakers.” Ghost continued the tone of his voice menacing. It was clear he was wound up by the events although he kept his composure.
“He really wanted her to stumble upon him.” John muttered.
John hated that you saw the man in your home. That you were so petrified you wet yourself in fear and he witnessed that. This stranger got exactly what he wanted and it was to see you scared for your life.
“Think he got off on her being terrified. And finding a man in the basement when she’s all alone would’ve been the most terrifying thing for her.” Soap added.
“Had a black duffle bag filled with things he was planning on using. He hadn’t realized she fled out the side door. He was searching for her when I got there. Humming some tune and calling her by name. . . Doing creepy fucking shit to scare her.” Ghost explained.
Knowing this man was lurking around your house and playing out his sick and twisted fantasy was making John’s face twitch. His anger was palpable and made the truck feel suffocating. It sounded like one of those horror movies you two occasionally watched. Only this time you had almost lived it.
“Duffle bag?” John was seething at this point. He could only image what kind of tools someone so depraved would bring along.
“I disposed of everything. Besides this and his journal.” Ghost handed over a prescription bottle of little blue pills and that was all John needed to know what the man’s intentions were.
It was more than to scare you. It was to do unspeakable things, torture you, and leave you for dead.
John had suspected that this was someone you knew personally. Someone who would be able to find out small details about you and it seem innocuous. John had been wracking his brain on who it could be and his mind kept sticking to one person in particular. One person who’d been snooping around his home in broad daylight and no one thought twice about.
Then John read the name on the bottle and all his suspicions were confirmed.
“We know him. It’s the fuckin’ cop that’s been sniffing around.” John whispered as he gripped the orange plastic so tightly it creaked against his hand.
“Knew.” Was all Ghost said.
“Ya’ killed a fuckin’ cop.” Soap scoffed while shaking his head.
“How’d you do it?” John asked looking from Simon to Soap.
The assumption was the two men took care of it together. That they made him suffer because that’s what John would have preferred. In the end John felt robbed. That he had his opportunity to take his rage out on the perpetrator stolen. John would’ve had him begging for death and that still wouldn’t have been enough for him.
“It was done when I got there.” Soap nodded to Simon. Rolling his shoulder back Simon kept his eyes fixed on the dirt path he drove down in the dead of night.
“Execution style. Let him know he was lucky for that. If it had been you who found him he’d be begging for a bullet.” Simon practically spat the words out, his disgust evident as he spoke about a man he found vile.
“So you’re taking me to him?” John asked with a sigh.
It wasn’t Simon’s fault he couldn’t keep the man alive for him. John saw that Ghost had secured you and your kids safety by ending it quick and easy. There was no longer a threat and you all could sleep easy.
“Thought it best you know all the details Cap.” Soap leaned forward as he spoke and then pointed to the dry birch tree off to the side of the path.
“Here.” Ghost parked the truck and didnt wait to get out.
The three men piled out and stayed silent as Soap lead them through the woods and Simon covered their tracks. Even if someone found the body it wouldn’t be identifiable or traced back to any of them. About two miles off the beaten path they arrived to the spot where Simon carried out his mercy kill.
There was a freshly disturbed plot of dirt with ruffage and leaves thrown over top. Looking to Soap and then Ghost, no words needed to be exchanged. This was where the man who would’ve done unspeakable things to you lay six feet under.
Walking over to the spot where this man had been laid to rest Soap and Ghost wondered what Price would do. All they could see was his back as his shoulder rolled back and he fiddled with something at waist level. Soon they could hear the clink of metal from John’s belt and then a steady stream.
Sharing a look Soap scoffed darkly and Ghost stayed eerily silent. Soap had no idea what he would’ve done in this situation if he were John, all he knew was the man had every right to lose his mind but wasn’t. His reaction was to piss on the man’s grave and Soap couldn’t blame him for that.
Ghost commended Price for keeping his cool. If the rolls were reversed Simon would has lost his grip. If anyone ever threatened his wife and entered his home where his children rested their heads at night Simon would light the world ablaze in his wrath.
“A bullet was too kind, Simon.” The words were growled over the sound of John’s belt clinking once more as he fastened it.
“Saving him for you wasn’t an option.” Simon spoke evenly.
“Lucky bastard.” Was all John said before heading back to the truck.
——————
It was late when John finally returned home. Your children were all tucked into bed and Gaz had said his goodbyes to his captain. Gaz had told him you went to bed a few hours ago and he hadn’t heard anything since. John was expecting to walk into the room with you fast asleep. But when he stepped through your bedroom door he was immediately met with you flinging yourself into his arms.
“Tell me everything’s okay. Tell me it’s over with and the guys arrested.” You babbled as your embrace grew tighter and tighter.
John was showing now signs of letting you go and you wanted to be held until all these horrible feelings went away. You wanted to be so close to him that you could crawl under his skin and set up camp. Melding into him was the only way to fell better. Maybe he could wear you as a backpack so you didn’t have to let go. You were starting to understand why Evelyn wrapped herself around John’s leg the other day. Something about not having to let go and John being okay with it left you feeling cared for and protected.
“He’s dealt with.” John tried to reassure you.
Without thinking and acting naturally John picked you up and you responded by wrapping your legs around his waist. John brought you over to your shared bed and plopped down on his side so you were laying on your back and he was pressing you into the mattress.
“Like dead?” You pushed John off you by the shoulder. Now with both hands on either side of your head he stared down at you. His face was emotionless as he kept his composure which wasn’t reassuring to the question you just asked.
“Darling-“ John was cut off by you sitting up and staring at him confused and unsure. You were sitting criss cross on the bed while John sat up straight with his feet on the floor.
“Is the guy dead John? Did Ghost kill him? Did you kill him!?” The questions rolled of your tongue.
John stared at you with a serious expression. You didn’t need him to answer to know the man was most likely dead. You came to that conclusion quickly just by the way John was acting.
“John did you kill him?” You asked again.
“No.” He said adamantly. You took a breath realizing what this meant.
“So Ghost did?” You shook your head to see if John would mimic you and silently admit to it; but he didn’t.
John didn’t answer this time. He turned his gaze to your open bedroom door and stared out into the dark hallway. The lack of response had you panicking in a whole new way. Before John knew it you were standing and shutting the door then frantically pacing.
“Okay. Okay. Oh fuck. That’s bad John. That’s really bad.” Your fingers were in your hair as you began to nervously tidy your room. John watched you pace and pick up the pile of clothes on the floor and then start fiddling with things on your dresser.
“Nothing happened. All you need to know is he won’t be bugging our family again.” John spoke evenly but was becoming stressed by your pacing and how you nervously tidied the room.
“I think I’m going to be sick.” You stopped in your tracks as your mind came up with vicious scenarios.
Had Ghost stumbled upon something so depraved that it drove him to murder this stranger in your home. Then you started to freak out. Was someone murdered in your home? Were the police going to come for you and John as accomplices? Would Ghost be arrested for murder and miss out on his family all because of you?
“Sit, it’s okay.” John guided you to sit on the foot of your bed. You had stopped babbling and pacing but now you were staring blankly off into space which worried John more than the nervousness.
“Does Dove know?” Your head snapped up realizing Simon’s wife would probably fall apart at the news.
If you found out John killed someone on your behalf you weren’t sure you’d be able to recover from the shock. You would constantly be worrying about him being arrested or someone coming after him. There would be a worry that the guilt would eat him alive. Although, little did you know murder was hardly off the table for John. He found that he could live quite comfortably with a guilty conscious on that front.
John took a moment before speaking. He was trying to weigh if the truth was worth you knowing. Ultimately he decided being honest was better and would hopefully create more of an understanding between you two. It was an attempt to get you closer to his way of thinking and that violence was in fact was a solution for some scenarios.
“In for a penny, I guess. . . It was her idea.” John’s words shook you to your core.
“Am I just surrounded by crazy? What kind of example are we setting for our kids.” You placed your face in yours hands.
John knew this was going to be hard for you to understand. As a person who had never seen war but experience violence and came out of it still not wishing death upon anyone, you would struggle to accept things. You had been kidnapped once and beat to a pulp and you had never truly recovered from that mentally. John couldn’t tell you the true danger you were in, for fear you’d live you life scared. That the man who waited for you in your basement had despicable plans for you for days and your survival would have left you so damaged John wondered if you would have chosen death instead. And that was without your children home. The whole situation was John’s worst nightmare but the thought that your little girls and son could have been subject to such cruelty made John’s blood run cold.
“I’m going to be candid with you. That man had horrible things planned for you. God only knows what he had planned if Jj, Evelyn, and Lily were home with you, love.” John took a deep breath before continuing.
“Simon made a choice where the outcome guaranteed your safety, the kids safety. That there would be no chance of it happening again or the law failing us.” Placing his hand on your shoulder John wasn’t sure if you were convinced. He was crouched in front of you now and hoping by some miracle you’d be okay with this.
“He made the right choice. I respect his decision.” John spoke as if it were fact. It was his way of egging you on for a reaction. It was killing him seeing you silently sitting on the foot of your bed with your face in your hands.
“How do we begin to thank him? I’ve never owed someone my life before.” Your attempt at humor came off dry and unfunny but John knew you were trying to come around to this idea.
“See it as him and I are even.” John chuckled with no humor and nodded to you as a silent thanks for not freaking out.
“You would’ve done the same?” You asked hoping that John’s response would somehow make this less morally confusing.
“Without a second thought. If someone threatened Dove and her kids the way you were-“ John had to pause as he realized he was growling the words and sounded as if he was losing his grip.
“Well, I’ll let you use your imagination on what I would’ve done.” He forced a smile and hated how you were staring at him as if he had a few screws loose.
Taking a breath you were convincing yourself this was fine. It had to be fine because this was the truth and you’d have to keep on living your life one way or another. At the end of the day the kids were safe and you wouldn’t have to worry about anything like this again.
“Do I bake him a cake?” You looked at John seriously.
The fact you meant what you were asking made John snort out a laugh. He wasn’t sure if you were sweet for that or a bit off your rocker.
“Don’t laugh at me.” You snapped.
“I don’t think he expects a cake, darling. If he did our yard would be fertilized with the blood of his enemies.” John joked.
“That’s not funny.” You whined.
“It is. You’ll come ‘round, just give it time.”
“I’m still baking him a cake.” You mumbled.
——————
“Mum police are here again!” Jj called from the front door.
You had just gotten Lily down for her nap and were coming down the stairs. The officer was standing in your foyer clearly having stepped in on his own or Jj invited him in.
“Jj go hang out in your room for a little.” You smiled sweetly and he nodded.
“And don’t invite police in again, you know how your dad feels about that.” You whispered and he nodded seemingly confused.
“I thought it was just that other cop.” Jj whispered back. You paused with your mouth open to say something and then stopped. With a shrug you sent Jj on his way and turned your attention to the officer in your home.
“Hello, I’m Officer Fitzpatrick.” The middle aged man nodded to you.
“Uh, hi. Would’ve thought Officer Parker would be the one stopping by if it was police.” It was a poor attempt at humor that didn’t seem to affect the officer.
“He’s been dealing with a different case, regarding your neighbor down the street.” He sounded almost annoyed by this fact.
“This is about the break in that happened here recently.” He continued.
“Let’s talk on the porch, I don’t want my kids to hear.” Motioning to your door you and the officer walked on to your front porch and you shut the door behind you.
“Yes. Have there been anymore sightings like you’ve reported in the past. With the arrest of your neighbor and the break in here it seems a lot of people in the area are on edge. Considering your neighbor was in custody when the break in happened we want to make sure we have the right guy.” By the end of his long winded explanation you felt somewhat lectured. As if you were some clueless woman who had no idea what was going on.
“Uh- haven’t seen anything.” You answered dismissively.
“When was the last time there was suspicious activity?” It was like this officer was socially inept how he continued his barrage of questions.
“The break in. Before that officer Parker mentioned a peeping Tom. We assumed it was the neighbor.” You felt off explaining these things. Like these were things the officer should know.
“A peeping Tom? Did he say who reported this?” You watched as the man scribbled down in his note book.
“No. He told me he couldn’t disclose that information.” You had been slowly inching your way back to the front door.
“Hm. The break in-”
“You know I don’t really want to be doing this again. It spooked my family pretty bad, especially me. So I’m going to go back inside.” You had already opened the door and were ready to slip back inside.
“I have a few more questions.” Officer Fitzpatrick urged.
“Oi, leave her be. I can answer anything you need to know.” John was just rounding the house.
He was stepping out of your garden and shutting the rod iron fence behind him. You were curious what he was doing in there and waited for him to join you. John didn’t need this cop drudging up your feelings about the matter. You were still shaken up and would cry at times about your guilt. That didn’t even scratch the surface of the anxiety you were left with.
John now had to check the house top to bottom before bed and even then you had trouble falling and staying asleep. You refused to go down to your office unless John accompanied you and overall were having trouble settling back in to normal life. It was no fault of your own John admitted what happened traumatized you. So, with a cop on his doorstep, asking questions that left you feeling morally bankrupt, John didn’t feel like this was a great way for you to heal.
“Go inside darling.” John nodded at you.
No part of him wanted you to realize what was going on but it was too late for that. Things were weighing on you enough and as your husband, John wanted to protect you. The details of what happened were unimportant and with a cop now sniffing around, John didn’t trust that you wouldn’t accidentally tip him off.
Walking back inside you saw Lily holding on to the posts of the railing and going down the stairs one at the time. She had a big smile on her face and waved to you as she got to the bottom stair.
“Lily, you should be sleeping.” You said in a chipper tone with a smile.
“Mummy.” Lily stopped on the bottom step and spoke seriously.
“Yes.” You laughed.
“I remember who gave me the tulip at swim.” The big toothy grin sent a shiver down your spine.
John hadn’t specified who broke in. You trusted him when he told you it was better you didn’t know.
“It was Mr. Jamie.” This was the fourth or fifth person Lily had named as to who gave her the tulip. She had convinced herself if she could remember then John would never yell at her again.
“My friend?” You shook your head and went to take Lily back upstairs.
“Yes.” She seemed very serious but you were use to her misremembering things, after all she was four.
“I think you’re remembering it wrong sweetheart.” Kissing her head Lily rolled her eyes.
“Carry me?” Lily pursed her lips and looked up at you through her eyelashes. You did as she asked and went and napped with her upstairs. Some sleep felt better than worrying yourself sick about everything going on.
——————
“The kids are gonna love this.” You snickered.
You and John were at the edge of the pond in your back yard setting up a fun surprise for the kids. They had all fallen asleep in the living room after a day spent at the trampoline park. You made a joke about wanting to relax in a lazy river and John thought you could float on the pond.
So here you were, blowing up fun shaped rafts to float on. There was one for each of you besides Lily. You had set up a comfy spot for her on the dock to cuddle with Molly instead. Both you and John knew there was no chance Lily would get on a raft.
Looking up from your task you were surprised at the guest who arrived. You stopped what you were doing to watch as a familiar face approached you and John.
“Where the fuck is he!?” Officer Parker voice was venomous as he stormed past you and right toward John like he was looking for a fight.
“Woah what’s-“
Before you could finish Officer Parker took a swing at John. John hadn’t seen this coming and got clipped on the jaw, the punch barely connecting. You thought John would be livid but he looked amused, like when Jj would play fight with him. Officer Parker was going all in, swing after swing trying to hit your husband. John kept evading like it was child’s play until Parker full on lunged and tried to tackle John.
Now it was John’s turn and he swung fast and hard. The sound of his fist connecting full force with Officer Parker’s face felt like getting hit by a Mac Truck. Parker fell hard and you gasped at the sound of his head smacking against the ground. Instinctually Parker grabbed his eye where he’d been struck.
“John stop!!” You tugged John’s elbow but he shook you off. John already had Officer Parker by the collar and started to drag him like a rag doll.
“Let. Go. Or I’ll fucking kill you!” Officer Parker barked at John, his legs flailing as he tried to get up. Each attempt at getting up John would pull roughly and slam Parker into the earth and then continue dragging the man toward the pond.
“I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” Parker screamed, his voice being drown out by the splashing of water as John dragged him into the pond.
“Never gonna get the chance mate.” John growled as he pulled Parker in front of him, spat in his face, and then shoved him with all his strength under the water of the pond.
“John you’re gonna drown him!” You screeched, unwilling to get involved.
“That’s the point.” It sounded like a toss away comment.
John pulled Officer Parker out of the water for a second. The man flailed and gasped for air and then was brutally submerged again. John did this two more times as you begged him to stop.
“Stop! You’re actually gonna kill him!” You started to throw pool toys at John and they simply bounced off of him and floated around him as he drowned the police officer.
“Good.” Johns teeth were gritted yet amazingly he spoke evenly. It sounded like he was mowing the lawn and you asked him if he wanted water. As if drowning a man in the pond behind your house was a mundane task.
“The kids are home STOP!” This time you shrieked so loud it seemed to break through to John.
That was enough and John pulled the officer from the water and then dropped him so he went under on his own. Flailing his arms the officer was trying to swim to the surface and was struggling. You immediately took the few steps over to him and grabbed his hand and pulled until he was crawling out of your pond and gasping for air.
“What the fuck is wrong with you!?” Officer Parker was still coughing up water.
“You threatened to kill me. I was defending myself.” The excuse held no weight and you weren’t sure if John was being serious.
John trudged out of the water and brushed down his heard. His jeans were soaked from the knees down and his shirt was damp down the center. For someone who had just almost murdered a man John seemed incredibly calm. These were the moment you swore he was out of his mind. Being so comfortable with violence would never be something you could become accustom to unlike your husband.
“You’re going to go to prison for assaulting a fucking cop, John!” You were melting down about the implication of assaulting a police officer. The last thing you needed was John in jail and you raising three kids on your own.
“HA! No I’m not!” John laughed loud enough it carried across the yard. He was shaking his head and wagging his finger at you as if you were some naughty child caught with your hand in the cookie jar.
“What do you mean?” You took a few steps away from Officer Parker feeling uneasy about being close to him.
“You gonna tell her?” John looked a bit deranged as he asked the cop and then looked to you.
“What? Tell me it wasn’t actually the neighbor?” You snapped at John.
All of this was so confusing. After everything, you wanted a peaceful day with your children but again this buisness was being brought up when all you needed was to leave it behind.
“I was wrong about the neighbor, I’ll give you that. But he was still a fuckin’ creep so actually- you know what I was right! I was right about him too.” John was ranting at this point.
“You sound insane.” You told John hoping someone would explain what was going on.
“But this pricks brother was the one stalking you. Genius over here caught a wiff and I assume was trying to get ahead of it.” John was half shouting at this point and went as far as to kick Officer Parker over when he tried to get to his feet.
“I don’t know his brother- do I?” You said as you pushed John away before he started beating Parker senseless.
“He fucking works for you. Jamie Parker. And this muppet thought framing the neighbor would buy him time to get brother dearest to leave you be. . . Then I assume he realized neighbor boy was actually a fucking creep and had to deal with that. Am I wrong?” After another tirade you looked from John to Officer Parker for confirmation.
“Where is he?” Officer Parker struggled to get to his feet after being kicked to the ground pretty hard.
He was still coughing and now holding his shoulder from John’s blow. Officer Parker didn’t seem as angry anymore. It was probably because John just proved he’d drown him in the pond if he tried anything again.
“Only thing I can’t figure out is why you told Y/N you didn’t think it was the neighbor. That it had to be someone who knew her maiden name?” John asked, more like demanded.
“Where is he!” He hadn’t fully caught his breath but Officer Parker found the strength to yell.
“No clue. Ran off after he broke in.” John lied so convincingly you almost believed him.
“No, absolutely not. He’s a little weird but he’s been so normal. I’ve been mentoring him, we-“ You took a deep calming breath that didn’t help at all.
Jamie was not the person you thought would do this. He was a young man, mid twenties and handsome. He could’ve had any girl with a little bit of effort. There was no way he fancied you enough to do all this. Yes he was a little awkward at times and asked invasive questions but you chalked it up to him being young.
“We’ve had him over for dinner.” John finished for you.
“He’s fancied you since before you even knew who he was. You lectured at his university once as a favor to his professor. It’s been going on for years, he just got out of hand when you started mentoring him.” Officer Parker finally let on to what he knew.
“Out of hand!? Get the fuck off my property or I really will drown you.” John tried to charge Parker.
You quickly placed your hands on his chest to stop him because you knew John wouldn’t truck through you to get to the officer. The fact Parker put it so lightly only fueled John’s rage.
“Stop it!” You snapped at John.
“Why’d you get involved?” You asked but Officer Parker shook his head at you as if you were annoying.
Turning to John you could see it was taking all of his will power not to murder Parker.
“Answer her.” John ordered.
“Couldn’t turn him in. He’s family. But I couldn’t let him do-“ Parker cut himself off before he incriminated his brother further.
“He does the children’s exhibits. . . No wonder Lily knew him! I’ve left the kids with him so many times.” Part of you wanted to panic and scream but the feeling felt hollow. There was no point in freaking out beyond not having a lack of trust for people. There was no need for you to worry now.
Because he was dead.
“Where is he? He hasn’t come home, isn’t answering his phone, no show at work- which you know.” Officer Parker pointed at you but you immediately looked away and at John.
You hadn’t put two and two together but John must have. He was smart enough to keep it from you because you would’ve freaked out. And now you had to use your poker face to keep Ghost’s secret safe. You could freak out later.
“Like I said he ran off after he broke in. Think our dog scared him off.” John lied flawlessly again and you shook your head confirming it. Molly wasn’t even home she had gone with the kids to your dads.
“You fucking killed him didn’t you?!” Officer Parker stepped toward John again but you were standing in the middle of them.
“John wasn’t even here.” You butted in.
John pulled you to the side and squared up to Parker. He knew he wouldn’t go through you to get to Parker but didn’t know if Parker had any regard for you. It was incredibly satisfying watching Parker flinch as John’s stepped forward.
“I was out of the country. You can check.” John said condescendingly.
This seemed to stun Officer Parker. Horror was now etched across his face as he turned to you. With his mouth agape and wide eyes you both stared at each other for a long moment. You knew he knew what his brother had planned for you.
“You weren’t- were your kids home?” Looking from John to you in horror the severity of that break in seemed to set in.
“No, thank god! But I was by my fucking self while your psycho ass brother was in my basement office doing god knows what!” You shouted.
“Where is he.” Officer Parker asked calmly this time.
“Why did you get involved in this. What made it serious enough that you showed up at our home?” Stepping forward you put yourself in Officer Parker view but he waved you off.
You were absolutely done with this. The lack of answers was too much. Taking a ragged breath through your nose you reacted on impulse. Cocking your hand back you swung forward with all your strength. You punched this man with all the force you could muster and you swore in that moment you’d never felt so violent before. It occurred to you this was why John had a proclivity for violence; it felt good in the moment. You were so enraged you didn’t feel the pain radiating from your hand but kept your eyes glued on the man as he stumbled back a few steps and gripped his nose that was now leaking blood.
“What the fuck!?” He shouted at you.
“Good on you!” John was practically cheering you on.
“Tell me!” You shouted before slapping the officer once, twice and then trying to claw at him.
John gave you a second and then had his arm wrapped around your waist and pulled you back. He did wait and gave you a few good slaps and kicks before he stopped you. John lifted you off the ground when he realized you weren’t going to stop going after Parker and Parker wasn’t going to fight back.
“He- I found his journal and there were a lot of concerning details. I tried to get him help and when that didn’t work I tried to warn you two. I couldn’t blame it on your neighbor or you’d put your guards down but I also couldn’t turn my own brother in.” Finally the truth came spilling out. There was something about getting beat up by a woman half his size that was more terrifying than almost being drowned.
“Yeah and you’re lucky I’m not dead or I would SO kill you right now!” You all but screamed. You were kicking your feet and wiggling for John to put you down so you could have another go.
“Easy there killer.” John chuckled trying to calm you down like some rabid animal.
“Now, where is he? Did you kill him?” Officer Parker seemed desperate for answers himself.
“I wasn’t here. I don’t know what happened to him. But I hope he got what he deserved.” John nodded in a way you found odd.
Officer Parker stared at him for a long while. Water dripped off of him making the ground beneath him muddy. His left eye was swelling and turning red from John’s punch and his nose was bleeding from yours. The summer breeze picked up and blew strong making the officer shiver. There was a silent understanding that by the way your lives had continued you felt safe. With safety came the fact there was no more threat to you and your family.
“I’m going to find him.” Officer Parker hung his head for a moment before he started to walk toward his car parked in your driveway.
He’d accepted there would be no answers from you two. You weren’t sure why he gave up now after putting up such a fight. But John seemed to understand.
“Stay here.” John spoke to you softly and followed Officer Parker from a distance.
John watched the man climb into his personal car to leave. They shared another long look before Officer Parker’s red rimmed eyes closed for a moment. He nodded his head a few times before giving John once last look. Putting the car into reverse, Officer Parker went to leave your property and swore to himself he would never come back.
“Oi!” John called out which had Officer Parker stopping and looking back in surprise.
John held up a finger for him to wait and then disappeared inside. A minute or two later John appeared out of the side door of the laundry room with something in his hand. Bending down so they were eye level John handed over the journal Parker’s brother left behind.
“We made copies. But you should have it.” It was clear to him why he was doing it but John felt it better to not have that disgusting book in his home anymore. It would ruin any progress you made if you ever stumbled upon it.
“Thanks.” With slight hesitation Parker took it.
The leather bound book felt icy in his fingers and made his stomach twist at the knowledge John had read the depraved thoughts of his brother. The pages held such grotesque entries that made it clear no person would feel comfortable in their home again if who wrote it were still breathing.
“He was sick.” Officer Parker weakly tried to explain.
“Well, he’s not anymore. Cheers.” John stood back to his full height and patted the roof of the car.
——————
“That’s a lie.” Evelyn giggled loudly at her brother calling you out so rudely.
You were all sat down for dinner from your local Chinese food restaurant. Your kids were in their pajamas with how late you were eating. Looking over to John you didn’t know what to say to your son. You were a horrible liar so any attempt to say you weren’t would make you look more guilty.
“Oi, don’t call your mum a liar.” John pointed at his son using his fork. He barley looked up from his plate and continued eating.
“Mum did not break her hand by punching someone trying to steal an old ladies purse. How dumb do you think we are?” Jj looked at his father absolutely exasperated.
After Officer Parker had left John found you in the kitchen with a bag of peas on your hand. You were sobbing uncontrollably and John thought it was from the pain. It only took a few questions for him to figure out how horrible you felt for what happened. That what Ghost had done to protect you meant someone lost their life because of you.
But what made the tears flow endlessly was that you felt no remorse. Things were finally getting back to normal and you would have Ghost do it a hundred times over for this peace of mind; and that had you questioning your morals. It took a lot of soothing and comfort from John to help you accept things.
By the time you cried it all out you told John you most definitely broke your hand from punching Officer Parker in the face. John mentioned that he tried to teach you how to throw a proper punch but you refused to learn. You could throw a mean elbow but that was about it. You told him you were never going to resort to violence again unless him or one of the 141 boys murdered someone else. John tried to convince you again because the odds weren’t in your favor. This had you threatening to punch John and break your other hand if he didn’t swear to never allow that to happen again. It ended in a stale mate and you with a lime green cast, John still didn’t understand why you insisted on that color.
“You’re right.” John nodded and took a sip of his beer.
“It was a bank robbery. Your mum clocked the guy in the face and took his gun. People were cheering at her bravery. They’re thinking about naming her a town hero.” It was said so seriously you had to bite your lip to keep yourself from laughing.
“Banks closed on Sundays.” Evelyn poked a hole in John’s story expertly quick.
“I punched a fox trying to get at the chickens.” You lied with a cheeky smile.
“Mummy you shouldn’t punch foxes, they’re dirty.” Lily told you seriously.
“Oh, cmon! Mum clocked you dad. You finally mouthed off enough and drove her mad.” Jj was laughing to himself by the end of his own made up story.
“No, mum so slipped and fell going to the loo! She’s too embarrassed to admit it so dad’s trying to make her seem all tough.” It was now Evelyn’s turn to come up with a reason.
Summary: John Price finds himself late for work to have a, not so quick, quickie with his pregnant wife.
Warnings: NSFW, pregnancy sex, oral f!receiving, p in v, bossy reader, dirty talk, allusions to other sex acts, not edited.
Authors note: nothing makes me more self conscious than posting smut 😭
——————
John’s thick fingers wrapped around the tan laces of his brown military boots, tugging them tight and tying them off. Double checking that they were fastened he pulled on them again assuring they wouldn’t come loose.
Standing in the doorway of your living room you carefully watched your husband who was sitting on the chase lounge, of your new white U shaped couch and tying his dusty boots. Normally you would be on his case for having his boots on the new rug but he looked so delicious you didn’t care. He was hunched over in a fitted army green t-shirt, camouflage cargo pants, with his mutton chops trimmed nice and neat. The way his arms flexed as he doubled checked his boots was enough to have you skipping over to him. You knew he had to be on base for a meeting, you knew he didn’t have time for this, but you didn’t care.
Clapping his hands against his knees John was about to stand and head out when you plopped right down in his lap. You still hadn’t changed out of what you wore to bed, sitting on him with your powder pink silk panties and his white t-shirt that just covered your ass. Looking into your bright eyes he quirked an eyebrow at you, an amused smirk dusting his face.
“Hi.” You practically giggled the word out at him. Wrapping your arms around his neck you lightly bounced on his thick muscular thigh with a wide grin.
“Well hello there.” John couldn’t help but chuckle back as your teeth sank into your plump bottom lip. His right hand instinctively ran down your back until it settled on your ass, while his left came and splayed across your five month pregnant belly.
“You should stay a little longer.” It was a statement that sounded a bit too much like a demand.
“I have an important meeting. I can’t be late.” If John didn’t find you so cute he’d be rolling his eyes and grumbling about being held up at the moment. But he wasn’t, he was okay entertaining you for a moment or two.
He wanted to see what you were up to. It wasn’t uncommon for you to rope him into something he least expected, it had been more so than usual since he had gotten you pregnant. Right now he was waiting for you to ask him to pick you something up on his way home or if he’d fetch something for you from the top shelf in the kitchen cupboard. Just yesterday you asked him to clean the lint filter for the dryer because you couldn’t stand the smell; he wasn’t even positive lint had a smell.
“Spend time with me.” You whispered before placing a sweet little kiss to his scruffy cheek then upturned lips.
“I can’t be late, darling.” John chuckled as you pouted back at him. Leaning in close your hot breath ghosted across his skin, foreheads meeting and nose nudging his.
“But I need you.” the confession had John perking up.
“Need me?” A smug grin was plastered across his bearded face at you being so forward with him.
Usually you were a little flirt who got him riled up and dragging you to bed instead of just outright asking for it. It was like you planted the idea into John’s head most times making him look like a horny bastard while you played the innocent wife who had no clue what she was doing.
“Yeah, right now.” You shook your head eagerly. You were moving your hips back and forth on his thigh ever so slightly to create just a bit of pressure to help relieve the thrumming desire in your bones. You had one hand fiddling with the hair at the nape of his neck while the other slowly ran down his firm chest.
“Darling, you don’t need me. You want me and I’m sorry but I have to get going.” John’s charming smile faded when he saw the cute flirty look you were giving him vanish in a flash. Now you were staring back at him utterly annoyed.
“I need you like I needed that piece of cake last night.” You spoke seriously.
The comparison had it all clicking in John’s head. This wasn’t an ‘I want something but it can wait’ scenario. This was ‘I’m going to be pissed off and hate you until I get that what I want’ type of thing. John had to scramble to his brother’s house and get you his sister in laws chocolate cake or else you were going to go ballistic last night. You had threatened to never speak to him again if he didn’t get it for you, which was completely out of character for his normally patient and understanding wife. It was his fault that he forgot it on the way home when you’d reminded him a hundred times. He was a lucky man that his brother and sister in law ran a bakery or he’d been stuck to deal with you crying over cake until you fell asleep.
“Ah, I see.” John shook his head and gulped down the bit of anxiety that was creeping up his throat. The last thing he wanted was for you to throw a fit.
But, why was it turning him on that you were being so pushy?
John hated being bossed around by anyone, you included. You just happen to get away with it more because you sweetly encouraged him to do things instead of outright demanding them. But now, seeing your eyebrows knit together and the absolute need to get your ‘craving’ satisfied had his cargo pants unusually tight.
“Sit back, love.” John whispered.
Sliding you backward off his lap and onto the chase lounge, he slowly kneeled in front of you. Eye contact was never broken as your mean scowl turned into a ‘that’s what I thought’ look. Seeing you so smug at getting him to do exactly what you wanted, right when you wanted it had John’s pulse thrumming loudly in his ear. God, weren’t you the most divine woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
John’s rough bear like hands slid your thighs apart so he could get his frame between them. Slowly they grasped the edge of his t-shirt you were wearing and removed it for you. He gulped seeing your tits perky out on display, along with your beautiful baby bump.
“Lay back.” John’s pressed his forehead to yours, the two of you breathing the other in. The tension was electrifying, the thought of John’s mouth on you consuming your mind.
Leaning forward slightly you caught his lips in yours and hungrily devoured him. Your teeth clacked together and tongue plunged into his wanting mouth. John let out an intense groan feeling just how desperate and rough you were for him right now. In a flash his hands were on your breasts, massaging them firmly and tweaking your nipples. His rough touch had your hair standing on end, it felt more intense than usual having your husband all over you.
Detaching his lips from yours, John sucked and nipped his way down to the valley of your breasts causing a shiver to run up your spine. Your normal whimpers and shallow breathing was absent as you moaned like you did when John was balls deep in you. The sounds you were making during foreplay had John rock hard, never having seen you this desperate before; and you had never felt this desperate before. Sucking on your nipples sent you into a tizzy, hips bucking for friction and John’s name falling from your lips. You needed any form of friction and needed it immediately. You were so worked up it felt like your skin was on fire and it burned to not be touched where you so desired.
“Fuckin’ needy.” John growled and he stopped himself from shoving you back into the couch roughly.
He had to be gentle with you being pregnant but you were winding him up to absolutely destroy you. One large hand came and gripped your shoulder pushing you lightly back into the soft white couch cushions. His other was tugging your panties down your thighs and throwing them off to some corner of the living room. John’s mouth was kissing up your inner thighs soon after causing the most pornographic moans to spill from your lips, especially when he started to suck hickies into your soft flesh. The way his beard tickled against your sensitive skin was making you wetter than normal, he was driving you crazy and for some reason it was ticking you off.
“You sure you can handle it, darling?” John teased, blue eyes fixed on the way your mouth hung open as you laid back.
What he wasn’t expecting was the pleasure stricken face you wore to go mean in the matter of second. Your right hand roughly snatched him by the roots of his hair and shoved his face forward into your soaking cunt. He swore you told him to stop talking but he was too distracted by your wetness to be sure.
“Fu-ck.” John grunted, moaning into your sweet folds.
You being rough was a new one and John was surprisingly loving it. Never did he think he’d want you pushing him around during sex but he was really getting off on it now and he hadn’t even touched himself yet. Running his tongue through your folds and making out with you sweet sweet juices he wondered what other bossy things you might do.
“Use your tongue more.” You demanded sounding almost annoyed that John wasn’t eating you out the way you wanted him to. Clearly the way he was use to doing it wasn’t good enough.
His eyes rolled back hearing you moan loudly when he started thrusting his tongue in and out of you. It made his cock twitch knowing he was hitting it right and you were going to make sure he did. John pulled back for a moment to catch his breath but his head was shoved back into you without warning. You had wrapped your legs around his shoulder and crossed your ankles together, ultimately trapping him against your cunt.
His taunt from earlier rang in his head when he asked if you could handle it. Now he was wondering if he was the one who could handle it. But if he died from suffocation between your thighs, he died with honor.
John continued to devour your sweet folds and suck on your clit when you told him to. Soon he was finger fucking you and lapping at the sweet bundle of nerves that made you cry out in pleasure. When you tightened around John’s fingers and chocked on your breath he knew he had gotten you there and was damn proud of himself for it.
Your legs went limp and fell from his shoulders as you caught your breath and John did the same. Staring up at the white ceiling you felt unsatisfied, being devoured by the man of your dreams wasn’t doing it for you. Yeah, you got off but you still needed more. Needed to be stretched out and pounded until you forgot your own name. Looking up you saw your husband checking his watch, most likely checking to see how late he was at this point. You were about to tell him to be as late as you needed him to be but you watched him shrug his shoulders.
“Fuck it. They can wait.” John stated matter of factly before leaning back on his heels and unfastening his belt then unbuttoning his trousers. You smiled wickedly seeing him push his pants down to just below his ass and his large cock spring out. It was swollen and a bit redder than usual from having been ignored for so long. Just the sight of it had your mouth watering and a fire bursting to life in your lower belly.
That’s what you needed, that’s what would solve your problem.
“John?” You asked as he knelt to his full height and pulled you by your hips so your ass was at the edge of the couch. His rough skin felt divine against any part of you and you just wanted him to keep touching you and never stop.
“Hmm?” John’s breathed giving himself a couple of strokes before lining himself up. The movement made his belt clink lightly in the otherwise silent room. He was so focused on fucking you quickly so he could be on his way, he didn’t notice the absolute mischief dancing in your pretty eyes.
“Need you to make me cum again.” You told him.
John’s blue eyes shot up from your dripping cunt to your smug grin. You looked absolutely gorgeous naked in front of him, round belly and full breasts. It was driving him crazy to see what he’d done to you, finding you irresistible like this. The way you wanted him so badly and didn’t care about his other responsibilities had him eager to please. Getting you to cum a second time usually took longer than the first and John was running dangerously low on time and had to force himself to care.
“Darling, I have a meeting.” John looked at you flabbergasted that you would be asking for more. Yet, he was so ready to give in to every single demand of yours.
“I don’t care.” Your words were simple yet demanding and John fell more in love with you in that moment. Oh boy did he love strong women who knew their own minds, and he was the luckiest man to have found you.
“Okay then.” John nodded back, his cock throbbing at your bossiness.
In that moment John came to terms he wasn’t going to make it to work on time. He had much more pressing matters to handle at the moment. And one of them was how tight you were wrapping around him as he bottomed out, and being mesmerized by the euphoric moan that tore from you.
“Fuckin’ hell.” John moaned not waisting time and setting a steady pace, his belt clinking in rhythm.
——————
The sound of a generic ringtone and loud vibrations of a phone rumbling against wood interrupted the sound of skin smacking, heavy breathing, and dirty talk. Fumbling around John’s hand found his work phone that had laid forgotten on the coffee table. His other was clamped over your mouth to get you to keep quiet since you were lightly moaning even when he stopped thrusting.
“Hello?” John tried to steady his breath as he picked up the call without looking at who it was.
You and John had been going at it for god knows how long. You had worked your way through multiple positions until you found yourself on your back again. You’d ridden John’s lap, face, then gave him a turn to be lavished by your mouth. He’d taken you on your sides, standing, kneeling, anyway you could handle while being pregnant. You were eager and happy to be getting it from every angle and John was more than willing to do whatever you told him to, just to hear you calling his name as you came.
You were on your back with your back arched, feet planted on the cushion on either side of John’s hips. He had been holding you up a second ago but now had one hand over your mouth and the other pressing his phone to his ear. It was a bit hard with the changes your body had gone through to keep your hips up like this. But you were able to stay in the position with little help and be able to balance on your shoulders while moving your hips.
Lying beneath your husband you couldn’t make out what the person on the phone was saying, only that someone was shouting their head off on the other end. John was currently balls deep in you, in nothing but his green socks, and flushed from all the strenuous exercise you’d been demanding from him.
His cheeks were pink and chest a rosy shade. You could see he was struggling to keep his eyes open as you rocked your hips allowing his cock to slip out a few inches and then sink back inside of your warmth. Running your fingers through the wiry hair, up his tummy and then to his pecs, you lightly tweaked his nipple. The large rough hand holding his phone swatted away yours from playing with his chest. He glanced up at the ceiling and shut his eyes trying to focus on what was being said as you bounced on his cock. The feeling of how deep he was able to reach inside your body mesmerizing.
“Yes, sir.” John answered his eyes going from looking off into the living room to back down at you.
“An hours unacceptable, I agree, sir.” John’s teeth were clenched as your hips continued to move, his hand tightened against your face to keep you quiet and hopefully get you to simmer down for just this one moment.
“Some family matters came up that I’m knee deep in h-it now.” John barely faltered as your hands came to his own that was covering your mouth.
He didn’t give you any trouble in removing it, as he still wanted you to breathe, but went wide eyed as you started to suck on his index and middle fingers eagerly. Feeling his cock twitch had you rocking your hips quicker and sucking harder. He mouthed ‘stop’ at you looking angry but it only turned you on more.
“I appreciate your understating and letting me take my time. Next time I’ll make sure to inform you. Thank you sir.” Hanging up the phone John chucked it at the other end of the couch. Pulling his fingers from your lips he leaned over you, knocking you off balance so you were lying flat. Planting a searing kiss to your lips he started to fuck into you like a wild animal.
“Can’t even behave for one bloody minute. Need my cock that bad?” John grunted as he watched your tits bounce from the force of his thrusts. You were letting out the loudest moans, finger nails clawing down his biceps.
“Y-you’re not in trou-ble?” Your speech was broken as you enjoyed John’s heavy hips colliding against your ass and backs of your thighs. The rapid pace of him slipping in and out joined by his thumb roughly rubbing your clit was rushing you towards the finish line.
“No, never used a sick day before. . . So he’s letting this slide.” John said through gritted teeth. Sweat dripped from his brow and fell against your round tits. Picking up the pace the couch springs began to squeak under John’s fucking.
“Yes, fuck! Yes, John!” You shook your head feeling your orgasm building in your lower belly. The way you were griping his biceps pinched but John didn’t mind, your enthusiasm was getting him dangerously close to tipping over the edge.
“Gonna fill this tight little thing up.” John grunted out, eyes fixed on how good your cunt looked swallowing him whole.
“No! I-I need one more.” You practically sobbed, you were close but not as close as John seemed to be.
“Fuckin’ hell. I’m not gonna last darling.” John whined feeling himself start to brown out at the delayed orgasm. He was ready to spill into you thirty minutes ago, he’d been fighting it off this entire time. The only reason he had made it this long was the few breaks he took to bury his face between your thighs.
You felt John twitch inside you and knew what was about to happen. Without thinking you sat up slightly, reached between you two and tightly grasped him by the base of his cock and balls. It stopped John from releasing and he let out the most pathetic choked gasp. He didn’t know it was possible to stop him from cumming or how the hell you knew how to do that, but you did for your own selfish reasons. John felt his cock pulse as if he was going to bust but then nothing happened, leaving a strange built up feeling beneath where your fingers were latched on to him.
“Please, just a little longer.” You stared into your husband’s baby blue eyes. He looked confused and lost as he nodded his head frantically.
“How’d you-“ John began but you cut him off.
“Don’t worry about it and keep going.” Letting go, John let out a shaky breath, his thighs beginning to quake. The pressure didn’t go away in his balls but only made his cock extremely sensitive.
“Gotta be quick or I’m going to lose my mind.” John’s voice was so low he sounded as if he were in pain. His eyes were staring down at his member which looked reddish and swollen more than usual, his breath caught in his throat as you pumped him with your delicate hand a few times.
Pushing him off of you, you moved to have yourself bent at the waist, knees at the edge of the couch and elbows resting on the back. John was standing and behind you in seconds then deliciously slipping back in and starting slow so he didn’t get ahead of himself. It didn’t make sense to John why you’d pick this position as you knew the sight of your ass in the air drove him crazy. Glancing up after giving your round ass a smack John saw you staring over your shoulder at him with the most devilish look in your eyes.
“Faster.” You breathed out, back arching more and one of your hands moving down to start rubbing at yourself.
You were doing this on purpose. Riling him up and pushing him to his absolute breaking point and you were getting off on it. Seeing him sweat and work his absolute hardest to please you. Make you a puddle and completely fucked out of your mind.
“You don’t want much.” John mumbled sarcastically.
His eyes were locked on to the way your ass jiggled with each thrust. His orgasm was building quickly again so he looked up at the ceiling and watched as the fan above him slowly spun. He ended up shutting his eyes and listening to your moans as he ignored how fantastic it felt to be inside you.
Pumping his hips quickly had you twitching around him. The stretch of your husband thick cock and the angle he was hitting was finally satisfying what felt like an unscratchable itch. Knowing he was fighting for his life to not to cum was so hot to you. Knowing you were driving him up a wall pushed you closer to the precipice. The first three orgasm weren’t enough, you needed to be absolutely ruined by your bear of a man and this was the moment you’d finally feel what you’d been desperately craving since opening your eyes that morning. Now you just needed John to fall apart with you and it would be perfect.
“L-look at me while I cum John. I want you to watch me.” Your sultry voice had John letting out a guttural moan as his eyes slowly moved down to see you, with your head to the side and staring back at him.
Your cheeks were glowing and eyes hooded. You looked exhausted as honey suckles whimpers and please for him to go fast fell from your tongue. John quickened his already frantic pace and watched as you went cross eyed, mouth dropping open and tightening like a vice around him.
“Oh god, I’m-“ That was all John was able to get out before the most intense feeling ripped through his body.
His knees were shaking and quads seizing up from the prolonged movement, his vision turning white for a second. He shot thicks ropes of white into your pulsating heat with such force he felt his entire cock swell thicker and the pressure you left him with before flood out of him. It was so intense he started to fall forward. Catching himself before he fell on top of you John’s hands crashed against the back of the couch, making the wood creak against his weight.
The loud grunts and nonstop moans huffing out of your husband made your own orgasm twice as intense. You swore he got thicker inside of you for a moment as you were pulsing with such vigor you were seeing stars. Your knuckles were turning white from your grip on the back of the couch as you cried out John’s name for the final time.
“Ah~” John moaned teetering between pain and pleasure as you tried to snap his cock off.
He couldn’t get himself to stop shallowly thrusting because he was still shooting cum inside of you when he didn’t think it was possible. This had to be the longest orgasm and biggest load John had ever released. Huffing out a final high pitched whine John prayed you were finally satisfied. He wasn’t sure he could take much more or keep his job at this rate.
Chest heaving as if he had just run a marathon John’s knees buckled and fell to the couch beneath the both of you. The motion had him slipping out of you his half hard cock smacking against his thigh and somehow still leaking white. Looking down John watched as his cum practically poured out of you, proving to him this was the most he’d ever cum. Taking his hand and gripping your ass for a second, John’s thumb found your lip and pulled it open slightly to watch more leak from you. He instantly wished he had recorded this moment, never wanting to forget just how much you’d gotten out of him.
“C-can you carry me to bed?” You whispered, still bent over the back of the couch. Your eyes were shut and you were taking in shallow breaths as you fought sleep. That last round was everything you wanted and left you feeling completely worn out.
“Yeah, just give me a second. No shower?” John asked a bit surprised that you were straying from your normal routine.
“Sleep. I’ll wash the sheets when I get up.” You hummed, sinking into the cushion so you were half curled against one of the throw pillows and hugging it. His eyes wandered down to your obvious bump, it had him smiling knowing you were carrying his son. Picking up the shirt you were wearing he wiped himself off then did the same for you. You hummed as a way to say thank you but laid still and rested.
“Sleep.” John responded in a day dream like state. Sleep sounded wonderful to him after the workout of the century, but he had other priorities. The thought of going and doing physical labour at work sounded like torture.
Getting up from his knees John rolled his shoulders back and bent down to pick you up. His back ached and his legs felt like jello but he was too proud to admit it. Sliding his arms under your knees and behind your back John hoisted you up letting out a grunt.
“Don’t make that noise.” You scolded, curling into your husband warmth.
“What noise?” John questioned. Now that you weren’t having sex he was not a fan of the bossy tone.
“Like I’m a million pounds. Maybe lift more weights or something so I’m light as a feather.” The response was bratty and had John rolling his eyes. Even after getting exactly what you wanted you were still being moody with him.
“How about thank you? I missed my meeting for this.” John grumbled as he brought you upstairs.
“You’re welcome for allowing you to have sex with me. And if you’re not nice to me that’ll be the last time.” You lightly threatened, playing with the tufts of auburn hair on his chest.
“I’m not nice to you?” John laughed in disbelief at your logic.
“Nope, just a big meanie.” You smiled against John’s hairy chest as he brought you into your bedroom.
You could feel his chest rumbling with laughter as he pulled the covers down and laid you down on his side of the bed. He did this in hopes the familiar smell of him and his pillow would keep you at bay. With a kiss to your forehead John turned down the AC so it would be nice and cool for you and then flipped on the tv so you could fall asleep watching the history channel. Stepping toward the door John was about to rush downstairs to clean the mess off your brand new couch, get his clothes back on and leave.
“Wait, no cuddles?” You asked sitting up slightly.
John turned to look at you and the pout that took over your face. You looked so cute with your baby bump and swollen tits. With a playful scoff John gave you a quick kiss to your forehead and then pinched your cheek, the other hand rubbing your belly.
“You can’t have everything your way. Now go to sleep.” John practically order you to do so and you decided not to fight him. He was right you had gotten your way enough today and it was about time you let him go on his way.
“Fine. But will you bring home dinner?” You asked as John was halfway out the door.
“Yeah, just text me what you want.” John called as he booked it down the stairs.
——————
“Dinners here.” John smiled widely as he walked into your bedroom. He had two plates in hand ready to see your bright smile and eyes.
“Have you s-seen this?” You were crying and pointing at the tv. John turned to see that you were watching a movie he didn’t recognize. You were sitting in the middle of the bed, hugging his pillow. You were dressed in his shirt and black leggings with freshly painted toes.
“Uh-no?” John asked confused and slightly concerned. He watched you wipe your eyes and put his pillow back after fluffing it.
“Good. It’s a stupid movie.” You sniffled before crawling over to your side of the bed and patting his pillow to come join you. Your tears were fading expertly well, John was just the distraction you needed.
“So stupid it made you cry?” John teased and handed you your plate.
“Yes, I just waisted two hours of my life.” Your tears had dried up as you began to eat. Noticing how John’s plate looked like he was on his second serving and already half way through it. You knew he had to stay late so he probably scarfed down his first plate of food while he made yours up.
John noticed your sheets had been changed and you broke out a new comforter that was significantly softer than your other one. There was fresh laundry folded in a basket in front of his dresser to be put away. It was nice knowing he didn’t fuck you into a coma and you were able to get a few things done today.
“How are you feeling besides that?” John chuckled as he sat with his back against the headboard and joined you in eating. It didn’t take him long to be lounging back with and empty plate in his lap.
“Horny.” You said as if you were talking about the weather.
“That can’t be possible. Not after everything.” John looked like a trout as he gaped at you.
His legs were practically useless as he ran drills with new recruits and found himself skipping the gym as his body would have given out on him. There were some passing comments on him looking worn out and a few people asking if he was alright because he seemed distracted. John brushed it off being vague that something came up. But his mind kept wandering back to how hot it was to have his wife bossing him around and milking him absolutely dry before work.
“What? You don’t want to have sex with me?” Looking up from your plate you felt slightly hurt that your husband didn’t seem excited by you being horny. It wasn’t your fault he was one of the sexiest men you’d ever seen or that your hormones were running rampant.
“I don’t think my cock works after earlier.” John softened seeing the hurt in your eyes. Reaching over he held your hand and gave you a charming yet expecting look. His expression told you more than words could and that you had worked him hard.
“Earlier wasn’t that much.” You deflected. John let out a snort seeing you try and defend your neediness from that very morning.
“You made me late, ran me ragged, bossed me around like a true general and didn’t let me cum at one point. Thats not that much?” The way you blushed under John’s playful gaze had him belly laughing.
You were a tiny bit embarrassed at how pushy and demanding you were. It was so unlike you but the need for John was too overpowering. Thinking back to how amazing those couple of hours were, had you getting riled up quickly again.
“How’d you know how to do that anyway?” He followed up, seeing you were lost in thought.
“Saw a video.” You shrugged. Pretending that your little confessions wasn’t too damning.
“Ah, so you’ve resorted to porn because I can’t keep up?” John couldn’t help himself but laugh. He found it sexy that you watched porn when you were all hot and bothered and hoped he crossed your mind as you got off.
“Only sometimes, you’re not home all the time.” Your playful statement had John puffing his chest out in pride. He loved the idea of you always coming to him when the mood struck, although you played him so well it always felt like his idea to bed you.
“I’m home now.” John flirted making you giddy.
“That you are. But apparently your cock doesn’t work.” You teased getting a hearty chuckle from the burly Brit.
“Is this part of the pregnancy or have you been binging on aphrodisiacs?” John asked.
“Pregnancy.” You spoke with your mouth full.
“Well, aren’t I a lucky man.” Placing his plate on the night stand John got up to change into something more comfortable that you could easily strip him out of.
“The luckiest. So better breakout the viagra or I’ll just suck you off until you’re hard.” Your nonchalant attitude had John chuckling and something stirring awake in his pants.
“I think I have one more in me. You can even boss me around again.” He winked at you getting a huge smile in return.
“You going to strip for me Captain?” You pointed at him with you spoon and slightly waved it at him. Turning around you slid your half eaten dinner onto your nightstand and gave John your undivided attention.
Chuckling deeply John started to unbuckle his belt with a cheeky smile. He ended up bursting out laughing as you started to holler and cheer, then throw pretend money at him. You went as far as playing ‘Pony’ by Genuine which had you both hollering with laughter unable to take anything seriously.
“You got ice cream?” You watched your husband walk through the back door of your home holding a large plastic cup with a lid. John’s look of excitement dropped at the sight of you.
The container he had was translucent so you could see the three swirls of vanilla soft serve. Each peak had a bright red cherry with its ruby juice swirling down the vanilla slopes. As soon as the words left your lips John hid what he was holding behind his back.
“Uh, what are you doing home early?” John wasn’t expecting you to be home, you said you were going to be on a run at this time.
The plan was to eat this by himself and hide his shame by throwing it in the outside bin so you wouldn’t see it. John didn’t mind sharing normally, but with three kids it was nice to get something to himself from time to time.
“Don’t answer my question with a question.” Without thinking you grabbed two spoons from the kitchen drawer and waved John over so you two could share. Ice cream sounded amazing on this warm spring day.
“I think I forgot something in the car.” Turning on his heels John quickly made his way back to his truck.
The new plan was to leave; that way he didn’t have to share with you. He would deal with the lecture when he got home and probably take you and the kids out for dinner as an apology.
Two steps on to the patio and John felt something solid smack into his back. Then came your arms and legs wrapping around him like a serpent. As you jumped on to his back you tried to snatch the plastic container from John.
“Give me a bite.” You demanded as you clung on to John’s back.
Trying to shake you off wasn’t working and John was scared he would drop the dessert. Placing it on the picnic table he tried to pry you off of him.
“There’s ice cream in the freezer.” John tried to protest. Each time he unwound one of your limbs the others tightened with brutal pressure.
“I don’t want that I want the soft serve.” You had to speak through gritted teeth because John was putting in a lot of effort to get you off of him.
Peeling your limbs off him wasn’t working so John started to shake you off. John tossed your slippers into the yard hoping that would get you off of him but it didn’t. Next came your socks, even tickling your feet didn’t work you only tightened your legs around his waist and lightly bit his shoulder. If John wanted you off of him he could do it easily, he was just scared to hurt you by accident.
“No, I don’t always have to share.” John snapped struggling to get you off of him.
“I pushed your big headed babies out of me! The least you can do is share!” The insult made John’s jaw drop and a shocked gasp leave him.
“You can’t use that every time you don’t get your way.” Hissing the words, John was begining to get fed up with you.
“I made multiple humans and all you had to do was bust a nut! I can use that whenever I want!” You shouted in John’s ear which was his final straw.
“FINE!” John yelled so loud it carried across the yard and echoed into the forest.
He stopped trying to get you off of him and stood there in the middle of the patio seething. You were wrapped around him and waiting a moment to make sure he wasn’t tricking you.
“Yay!” You first let your legs go and dangle a few inches off the ground, your arms were wrapped around John’s neck. Leaving a kiss to his cheek, your mood was like night and day.
John saw you go from a rabid raccoon mauling him to a sweet little thing skipping over and taking his ice cream. You two sat at the picnic table and ate the sweet soft white peaks together. John decided he would eat fast so he could have more than you, but that didn’t work. As soon as he was half way through it you snatched the container from him and told him to stop being stingy. John then had to watch you slowly finish the other half while you babbled on and on about your day. He loved you dearly, but in that moment he didn’t particularly like you.
Summary: John Price and his son find themselves being teased relentlessly because you stopped by to drop them off lunch.
Warnings: swearing, sexual themes, sexual harassment, violence, blood, domestic arguments, one tiny part of fat shaming, not edited.
——————
“God damn it.” You muttered to yourself as you struggled to grab hold of the reusable shopping bags from your back seat. They’d fallen over on your drive here and the tupperware needed to be reorganized in to neat towers again. A bag had gotten jammed under the seat so you were practically lying on your belly and kicking off the ground to dislodge it.
It was a Saturday and your plans had fallen through. You were suppose to spend the day with your daughters who ended up ditching you to go see a movie and grab food together. At one point your youngest called you ‘lame’ which you tried to pretend like it didn’t hurt. So you gave them money and let the 19 and 13 year old make a day of it.
Having the house to yourself felt strange and you went a little overboard with the grocery shopping and cooking. You made an American classic of fried chicken, baked beans with salt pork, cornbread, green beans, and a key lime pie. Maybe you were homesick or something because none of these were easy to make and you made a mountain of food for only you. Or maybe you were trying to find an excuse to bring your husband lunch so you could see someone who’d be glad to share your company.
You weren’t sure your son would be happy but once he saw what you brought he’d be fine. At least you hoped he would be. You had never visited your son on base before. Usually John snuck you in the side door and then snuck you back out. This was so you two could eat lunch in peace and then he could fuck you in his office if he had the time. John thought it would be more suspicious if he was locking his office door when everyone had seen you and he wasn’t about to get caught at work.
“Fuck.” You pouted down at your once beautiful key lime pie. You had decorated it meticulously with little swirls of whipped cream and a candied lime slice in the middle. Now it was smeared across the faded yellow custard and looking a mess.
“It’ll still taste good.” You mumbled before placing it back in your bag.
“You okay ma’am? You’ve been talking to yourself for a while.” An unknown voice sounded from behind you.
Internally you cringed not realizing how you’d been babbling out loud to yourself. Turning you saw a young man sitting in his truck with the window down. He’d been there when you pulled in to the spot next to him but didn’t pay him any attention. He looked to be a similar age to your son, he had blonde neatly cut hair, black sunglasses, and looked tan for his light complexion.
“Yeah sorry. Just dropping off food to my son.” You held up the bags as your evidence.
“Who’s your boy?” He asked.
You couldn’t see it because of the sunglasses but the young man was shamelessly checking you out. It started when you were bent over your back seat trying to get the bag from under the seat and he was able to see your round ass in those jeans. Things only became better for the young man when he realized you had a pretty face to boot.
“Shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?” It was a playful way of deflecting as you knew your son and husband wouldn’t want you going around saying who you were. They could both get so embarrassed by your mere existence. John told you he was still teased about being an old man with a young wife, although you two were only three years apart in age.
“Private Wakefield, nice to meet you-“ He gestured for you to share your name. With a sigh you realized you weren’t getting out of this.
“Price.” You smiled kindly.
“You’re Mags mum? Wait that means you’re the Captain’s wife.” The look that took over Wakefield’s face had you feeling apprehensive. He seemed to be a little too thrilled to have made the connection and it made your stomach sink.
Coming was a bad idea.
“Yup, well gotta go. Nice to meet you.” Waving politely you closed your car door with your hip and went to scurry away.
“Wait, you’re an American? I would’ve never guessed Captain Price would marry an American!” The new friend you made called after you but you pretended not to hear him and continued on your way.
After sharing your ID more times than you thought necessary you were finally permitted into the expansive building where John’s office was. Walking down the corridor you were given smirks and confident grins from the men you passed. There were a few hellos and men purposefully stopping to hold the door for you when you weren’t close to it. You double checked your bra wasn’t showing or something because you could feel the unwanted eyes locking on to you.
To the men around a pretty woman in civilian clothes hardly ever graced them in these parts so you were quite the treat to look at. You weren’t dressed in anything crazy, just a pair of light skinny jeans, a fitted black long sleeve, and black booted heels with your hair down. You wore this to work, it didn’t feel like a sexy little outfit or anything.
Turning the corner you ran straight into a brick wall of a human. Thankfully you’d run into this man plenty before because he never got out of someone’s way, he expected others to move. After accidentally smushing your face into Simon Riley’s rock hard chest you stumbled back a few steps. His large mitt of a hand caught you by the elbow as your heels clicked and made you more off balance.
“What the hell are you doing here?” No hellos, no pleasantries, he was the same old rude asshole you’d come to love. When he saw you stable on your feet he let go.
“A hello would be nice.” You retorted only to have blank eyes stare down at you.
Simon was dressed in his usual all black military get up and had on the same dumb mask that you hated. There was a smudge of your foundation in the center of his chest from where you ran into him. You always gave him grief about his mask when he would come over and take it off, asking why he couldn’t be a normal person and just not wear it. He usually ignored you or started a conversation with someone else.
“Bringing John and Jj lunch. And if you’re nice I packed something for you and Gaz too.” That seemed to whip Simon into shape. You watched as behind the mask his eyes softened at the mention of your cooking. He loved to tell you American food was shite while he asked for seconds.
“I’ll take it off your hands and feed it to the dogs.” It wasn’t said in a playful tone but you knew it was lighthearted by now, he was just a smart ass who liked getting a rise out of you.
“Hold this.” You shoved one of the bags into his chest and he took it after an eye roll.
You wiped the foundation you left behind off his chest and he stared down with an angry look that you were touching him. While you were rummaging through the bag Simon watched carefully, noticing a pie sitting at the bottom. He also noticed each container had the same contents but different portions of different things. They were all labeled in your neat handwriting so you wouldn’t get confused on who’s was who’s.
“Here. And stop by John’s office in a little I made pie too, I just have to cut it. Oh and here’s Gaz’s, give it to him please.” Handing over two glass tupperware containers Simon grinned under the mask, happy you couldn’t see his excitement.
You’d made this exact meal once before and him, Gaz, and Soap devoured the entirety of it leaving a very pissed off John who wanted leftovers. Simon also was the one who primarily cooked at home, his wife found it tedious and wasn’t exactly good at it, so he almost never turned down a free meal especially from someone who could cook like you.
“Those the beans with the fat?” Simon internally said ‘fuck it’ you could win today and know he actually liked you the tiniest bit.
“Yeah, I put extra in yours because I remember you liked it so much. Recipe is also taped to the bottom.” You gave him a playful wink, tapping your finger on the bottom of his container that had a cartoon ghost that you drew on it instead of writing his name. Gaz had a double portion of cornbread which meant to Simon you noticed he liked that the best; he saw you had also put a heart next to his name. Part of him hated to admit how thoughtful you were because it meant you were as sharp eyed as the Captain.
“Thanks.” He smiled under his mask and you could tell by the way his eyes crinkled.
“Now, fuck off.” And there he was, back to his normal unpleasant self. Handing you back the bag he went on his way and you watched as people scampered out of his way as to not get trucked down.
“Such an ass.” You quietly laughed to yourself.
“You Ghosts girl? Didn’t think the man was capable of affection.” A man passing by joked.
“I’m joking, he doesn’t seem like the type you’d be interested in.” You could see the young man was ready to stop and chat just by the way he looked at you; which was somewhat unsettling. Before you could respond Simon was back and crowding the man’s space.
“Leave her be.” Simon’s voice boomed through the corridor; he sounded almost demonic.
Those in ear shot looked from Ghost to you and everyone instantly got the message; all around averting their gaze from you. Ghost was living up to his name, he looked and felt like a looming black mass as he intimidated this poor recruit until the boy was practically running down the hall. Looking down the hall Simon seemed to notice something you didn’t.
“Piss right off Wakefield.” He barked.
Turning to look you saw the same young man you met outside but he didn’t seem scared of Ghost one bit. He gave you a wave, smile and a cheeky wink before turning on his heels and walking in the opposite direction.
”Go to Caps office. No detours.” Simon roughly motioned for you to be on your way. He was so use to everyone around him being intimidated by him or even unsettled but you never seemed to be; besides the first time you met.
“Please goes a long way.” You smiled politely before taking off down the hall. No one else got under Ghost’s skin like you, and you were lucky you gave him food or he’d be barking something rude in your direction.
Now you were walking a bit faster to get to John’s office, you didn’t want to have anymore conversation because your husband would be giving you an ear full as is. Once he heard Simons account of everything John would be pissed.
Once you reached the door with ‘Captain Price’ neatly written across the fogged window you felt relieved. Knocking lightly you heard a gruff and frankly annoyed ‘Come in.’ Opening the door you couldn’t help but smile brightly seeing your handsome husband with his head shoved into some paper work and not bothering to look who was here. He was dressed in a beige quarter zip that was camouflage on the sleeves. It was neatly tucked into his faded beige cargo pants with a belt fasted around his waist and boots tied up nice and neat.
“What?” John asked sounding utterly unpleasant. You weren’t sure how anyone came to ask him things with an attitude like that.
“Hungry?” Your sweet voice had John’s head snapping up so fast you swore he would give himself whiplash.
“What are you doing here?” John sounded caught off guard; he was ecstatic to see you instead of someone who’d be asking him for something. Standing quickly John was rounding his desk and shutting his office door behind you, then taking the bags from you. He placed them on his desk getting a wiff of something amazing.
“The girls went out and didn’t want me to come. Told me I was lame. So I tried cooking to distract myself, I went kind of overboard. It’s better fresh so I thought I’d bring it here for you.” You felt a bit embarrassed now admitting why you were here. You didn’t feel ‘lame’ when your daughter called you it but now you did.
“You, lame?” John glanced over his shoulder as he emptied the bags you had brought.
“Yeah, guess I’m finally uncool to Lily.” Stepping forward you were still waiting for a hug and kiss hello, but you didn’t get one. Your face went to a deadpan one as you watched John pop off the lid to his lunch and immediately bite into one of the chicken thigh you put in there. He tapped the name you wrote on top and chuckled; it read ‘Captain Sexy.’
“You gave me all thighs, fuck, you know me so well.” Talking with his mouth full you continued to watch your husband stuff his face as if no one were watching. John had been thinking about lunch for the last hour but didn’t want to subject himself to the food on base.
“So I don’t get a hug or kiss?” You asked and John was adamantly shaking his head ‘no.’
“Gotta eat it while it’s still crispy.” He spoke with his mouth full and pointed at the glass container sitting on his desk with the bare bone he’d cleaned off in record time.
“That good?” With a little laugh you lightened up significantly seeing how in to the food John was. He was such a satisfying person to cook for, always humming and shaking his head in approval when he really liked something.
“Yes! Here, darling, sit.” John gestured to his desk chair that was the comfiest seat in the room. Wiping his hands off haphazardly he came and guided you around his desk and to his chair; giving you a greasy peck to the lips along the way. Once you were seated he was back to standing by the side of his desk and eating.
“These the beans with the fat? Uh, Boston baked beans right?” John’s eyes sparkled as he asked, he looked like a little boy on Christmas.
“Right, just how you like.” With a smile you saw John’s whole face light up like he was getting away with something.
“There’s a spoon in that drawer, pass it to me please.” Pointing to the drawer to your left you swiveled in your chair surprised John kept cutlery in his desk.
Opening it up you saw a clear plastic container with a metal fork, knife, spoon, and chopsticks. You’d never seen this before, but it made you snort out a laugh that there was what use to be a yellow cartoon figure in the bottom corner that John tried to scratch off.
“Where’d you get these?” You asked handing him the container.
“Korea.” John said simply. It made sense when you glanced over the set again. The spoon shape was a lot different and the chopsticks were made of metal.
“We should go to Korea soon. I haven’t been since before I met you.” Smiling up at John you enjoyed watching him devour the lunch you packed. He even ate the green beans which was surprising since he hated vegetables. Nodding simply, a knock sounded on his door. Before either of you could respond it was quickly opened.
Jj slid into the room, only opening the door enough for his body to fit through. He had an angry look on his face which made him look even more like his father than he already did. Jj was dressed in beige cargo pants, an army green t-shirt, and had on a baseball cap with the British flag.
“Your mum cooked. Eat it before it goes soggy.” John grabbed the container with Jj’s name on top, it read ‘Sun’ with a cartoon sun drawn next to it, and waved it around for his son to take. The food didn’t seem to shake the anger radiating off your boy as he walked up to his father’s desk and stared down at you with narrowed eyes.
“What are you doing here?” He hissed seemingly a lot angrier than you first expected.
“Oi, don’t be like that. Your mum cooked up a feast, and a bloody good one at that.” John placed the container back on his desk and lightly shoved his son by the shoulder to hopefully knock some sense in to him.
“Just you wait! Wakefield was goin’ on and on about some ‘bird’ with a ‘tight arse and big tits’ and then asked if ‘my MILF of a mum’ planned on staying with an old tyrant like you.” Jj snapped recounting everything in way too much detail for your or John’s liking. He wasn’t holding back because the shock value would hopefully keep you far away from here.
“I have a tight ass?” You joked, playfully looking to your husband. It was your attempt at diffusing the tension. They both snapped their heads at you and looked at you with daggers in their eyes. Instinctively you put your hands up in defense.
“Enough, take your food and leave.” John was shaking his head, visibly upset. It still didn’t stop him from continuing to stand by the side of his desk and eat.
“Mum, go home. I don’t need you around here humiliating me.” Jj’s response to you stopping by instantly had your chest tightening.
You weren’t sure what you had done to humiliate your son, unless bringing your boys food constituted that. Maybe it was your daughter’s uninviting you from their outing but this treatment today felt undeserved and had you feeling a painful burning pressure behind your eyes. John knew you well enough that hearing that was something that would have you crying before bed. Looking at you he could see just how hurt you were.
“Excuse me?” John’s entire demeanor changed from being reasonably upset to outright irate.
Something John had learned to accept in his marriage was that he had the pleasure of having a hot wife who was aging like fine wine. He would never get comfortable with the lingering stares or you getting hit on, but he’d learned to think about it differently. You were a woman worth desiring for more than your beauty and John was the lucky man who was able to call you his. The jealousy would always rage inside of him but nowadays it took a gentle kiss from you and those bright eyes he loved so dearly to snap him out of it.
John also knew you didn’t like the attention and played off how uncomfortable it made you with humor. It deeply hurt you to think your family or husband was embarrassed of you for the way you looked. Yes it happened to be because you were pretty but that didn’t matter to you, it was hurtful all the same. So for John to hear you being treated in a way that you were already self conscious about, he knew it would deeply wound you. And there was no way in hell he was going to stand by and let that happen to you.
“You’re not going to do anything about it, so she should leave.” Jj answered back shortly, his father was seething but trying his best not to lose his temper in front of you.
“I’ll do plenty.” John spoke simply, scrapping down the glass and shoveling the last few bites in his mouth.
“Really? Seems like you’d rather be a fat as-“
“ENOUGH!” John shouted so loudly you swore the windows shook, his voice dropping to a scary octave.
Forget Simon John was ten times scarier. The reaction was so strong you almost jumped out of your skin. You were surprised the glass container didn’t shattered as John tossed it on to his desk and you quickly caught it before it fell to the floor. It left you feeling anxious to hear your husband so uncharacteristically upset; although maybe that was normal here.
Jj stood there silently, falling right into line. The irritation from before seemed to wash off him while he stood up straight and emotionless.
“Your sisters have upset your mum enough today! Then she does something nice for you and you treat her like an embarrassment for the way she looks!?” John was now in your unblinking son’s face and he didn’t hold back. The stoic expression Jj wore was the same you’d seen from pictures of John’s early days in the military.
“And if you want to talk about fat asses you should lay off the beer, it’s starting to show!” The last bit was a low shot since Jj had put on a few pounds from drinking with his buddies. Sitting there silently you continued to cringe at what you saw as a complete overreaction from your husband.
“Yes, sir.” Jj spoke through gritted teeth. It was clear to you Jj wanted to tell John exactly where he could go but the hierarchical bullshit the military was built on stopped him.
“Get out. And if Wakefield makes you so emotional deal with it yourself instead of running to tattle to daddy.” John had stopped shouting but his words were still cruel. Making Jj sound weak by using the word ‘emotional’ and a child for coming to John.
“John.” You whispered, trying to get him to tone it down a notch.
“Thanks, mum.” Jj grabbed his lunch container and nodded to you with a blank expression before exiting his father’s office. Once the door clicked shut behind him John let out a frustrated grunt.
“Little overboard don’t you think?” You asked, slack jawed. You had seen your husband lose his temper plenty of times over the years with your children; but never like this. At home John was strict but cruel words weren’t really his style.
“No, I’m not going to treat him any differently than if someone else came and spoke to you or me like that.” John grumbled before rounding his desk.
You wanted to argue back but decided against it. It wasn’t your place, this was John’s work and that may be your son but even Jj confirmed John treated him like everyone else. John leaned over you, getting into your personal space and fiddled with his computer. You could smell his spicy warm cologne and aftershave. Watching closely you saw him pulling up personnel files until ‘Peter Wakefield’ was on the screen.
“You meet Wakefield or was he one of the men to check your ID?” John asked.
“Met him outside. I tried to not give him my name. That’s also not him.” You pointed at the screen feeling on edge.
John clicked his mouse and brought up the next file. It was ‘Thomas Wakefield’ and John looked back at you and hummed in acknowledgment, you shook your head yes.
“This kids a little prick. Simon hates him too, so no surprise he’s stirring up trouble for J.” Breathing heavily through his nose John started to contemplate how he’d make the little shit pay.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have stopped by.” You blurted out the words which immediately caught John’s attention. Turning to look at you he could see just how upset you were, on the verge of tears.
“Don’t. I’m happy you’re here.” Squatting in front of you John took your hands in his. His blue eyes were much softer than before. Your normal husband had returned and Captain Price had vanished.
“I don’t mean to embarrass you guys. I just wanted to do something nice. If I kn-“ Cutting you off John kissed you.
His lips pressed firmly against yours, a silent plea of him asking you to stop talking. John stayed there and kissed you with so much passion he was soon kneeling between your thighs and making out with you. It felt natural to fall into John’s warmth and kiss him back with just as much yearning. You didn’t need him to tell you he wanted you here it was obvious he did the moment he realized you were here. Now he was showing you through his desires that he more than wanted you here.
The makeout session you found yourself in killed all the insecure thoughts. John wanted you to feel beautiful and he knew just the way to do that. Continuing to kiss and suck on your lips like a man starved his hands began to wander. The way he was getting worked up was a surprise but now he was fondling your breasts under your shirt and making your eyes roll to the back of your head.
“Price.” A voice all too familiar barked from outside his door, followed by a firm single knock.
John pulled away, his pupils blown wide and eating up the blue you loved so much. He seemed in a daze as he glanced at your lips and then began to stand, rough hands slipping from under your shirt.
“I’ll finish you later.” John leaned in and whispered in your ear, leaving you with a scratchy kiss to the cheek. His sultry words had you pressing your thighs together.
“What?” John called, sounding pissed off as his office door began to open.
Simon walked in, his frame taking up most of the doorway as he entered. You wondered if he could tell by how close John was to you what you two had been up to. It wasn’t the closeness that gave you two away, it was that doe eyed look you had. Almost as if you were lost in a day dream.
“Your son’s beating the shit out of Wakefield. Do you want me to stop him?” Taking his thumb Simon pointed over his shoulder to no where in particular.
“What!?” You practically yelled standing so quickly John’s chair flew out from under you and slammed into the wall.
“You came here to ask instead of breaking it up?” John stared at Simon with his eyebrows knit and looking at the lieutenant as if he were dumb.
“Giving the kid a chance to get a couple more good hits in. Should’ve heard what Wakefield said about her.” Simon nodded in your direction.
“Simon Riley, you go get my son!” You hissed at him. Hand dropping to his side Simon stared at you a moment before speaking.
“Don’t take orders from you. That’s why I asked Price.” His nonchalant attitude towards you was getting old fast. You were about to verbally tear him to shreds but John had spoken before you could.
“Fuckin’ hell go break it up. Im coming.” Snatching his hat from his desk John marched out of his office with you hot on his heels.
“Darling, stay put you know this is only going to upset you.” John didn’t bother shooing you away because there was no use.
“Fuck that.” Nothing was going to keep you from checking on your son. Your maternal side couldn’t stop the worry that took over hoping he wasn’t too banged up.
Ghost lead you and John outside of the building to where the sand pit was. The pit was most commonly used for punishment and Jj Price had full intention of capitalizing on that. Jj had Wakefields face pushed into the sand with his thigh as he had the young man in an arm bar.
“Say it again and I’ll break your fucking arm!” Jj was scary looking as he threatened Wakefield. You hated to admit it but he was turning out to be just as hot tempered as John was at this age.
“BREAK IT UP!” John voice boomed through the air.
Again you flinched at the volume your husband was capable of reaching. It was truly scary to be around any man that yelled like that but something about John’s presence made him that much scarier. Deciding you didn’t want to have any implication with what was going on or lose any hearing you stood by the door.
You watched as Jj let go and both young men were quickly scrambling to their feet, only Jj got one last shove in and sent Wakefield tumbling face first back into the coarse sand. Once on his feet Wakefield lunged at Jj who seamlessly push kicked him in the stomach and sent him flying. You watched with a pained expression as John shoved Jj back and then proceeded to yank Wakefield up to his feet. Shouts were ringing through the air as John berated them both for fighting.
Wakefields face was red and he had a bloody crooked nose that didn’t seem to want to stop gushing. As John reprimanded both men Wakefield had to lean to the side every so often to spit out the blood that continuously flowed into his mouth from his nose. You could see his nose was angled awkwardly now and a black eye was beginning to form. Jj on the other hand didn’t have a scratch on him, he only had sand sticking to his sweaty skin and Wakefields sunglasses hooked into the collar of his shirt. The little shit didn’t think hitting the poor boy was enough he just had to steal his sunglasses too.
“Indy!” Kyle’s voice sounded from behind you as he exited the double doors you were standing next to.
“Kyle hey.” You glanced between what was now your husband shouting his guts out and Kyle giving you a warm smile.
“Ghost said you had some food for me. You really didn’t have to, but, I’m starved.” Kyle carried on like John losing his god damn mind was normal. He clapped his hands and rubbed them together in anticipation.
“How are you not worried.” You pointed at John who was beginning to go hoarse from shouting. You couldn’t even make out what he was saying at this point, only that your son and Wakefield stayed expressionless as John screamed in their faces.
“Ah Caps like that everyday. There’s always someone new for him to yell at.” Kyle waved it off and continued to give you a pleasant smile.
“Everyday?” You asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, you get use to it. So the food?” Kyle brushed past your shock and was nodding at you to answer his question.
“Gave it to Simon to give to you.” You said off handed eyes fixed on the young man with blood pouring from his nose. He was going to need to get his nose reset, you were sure of that.
“No you didn’t. He said you told him to have me look for you.” Giving you a confused look your face dropped. Instantly you knew Simon had most likely eaten both portions and played it off like they were his.
“He’s such an ass.” You mumbled.
“So no food?” The dejected look Kyle had on his face lasted for only a second as he tried act like it didn’t bother him. He didn’t want you feeling bad, he wasn’t entitled to your cooking. Although he use to make fun of Soap for asking for your recipes when he now too did the same.
“No, I made an extra plate just in case. But it doesn’t have extra cornbread which I know is your favorite.” With a heavy sigh your head hung low. Today was not going your way. None of the men in your life wanted to behave like civilized people.
“Indy, you’re the fuckin’ best!” Kyle grasped you by the shoulders and lightly shook you for emphasis. The gesture had you laughing lightly your mood lifting only somewhat. He was trying to cheer you since Kyle truly thought of you as a friend.
“Don’t touch her!” John barked at Kyle. His hands flew off of you so fast it startled you and Kyle was taking two large steps back.
You gave John a mean look for yelling at Kyle for what you thought was normal friendliness. He stormed right past you as if he didn’t know you and barreled into the double doors, throwing both open and nearly taking a new recruit out.
“I should-“ you pointed after John and Kyle only shook his head in understanding.
“The foods in John’s office if you wanna give him a minute to cool off.” With an awkward smile you thought you should apologize for John’s behavior but didn’t.
“Best make it ten.” Kyle joked.
John was gone by the time you were walking through the double doors. You weren’t expecting him to storm off and leave you in the dust. With a pitiful sigh you started to make your way back to where you thought John’s office was. The thing was you kept walking and walking but must have gotten turned around at some point. You tried looking around but nothing was clearly labeled and no sighs pointed you in the right direction.
“You lost, miss?” Turning you saw a gentleman your own age.
Internally you sighed in relief that finally you weren’t dealing with shit head twenty year olds. He stood about six feet and shared a very similar physique to your husband, he was also dress similarly only he was in navy. The man was clean shaven and seemed much more approachable than John. He had neatly trimmed black hair that was going grey by the temples and had thick eyebrows. His skin was ivory which made his hazel eyes seem cat like, he had thin lips, pearly white teeth, and a charming smile.
“Yeah, I’m looking for Price’s office.” You gave the man a thankful smile for having stopped to help or you would still be wandering around these empty hallways.
“What does a woman like you want with that tyrant.” The joke had you awkwardly laughing. John being called a tyrant use to make you prickle up in his defense but after seeing how quick he was to anger here you weren’t sure people were wrong.
“Just need to grab something real quick.” You deflected. After what happened with Jj you didn’t want anyone else knowing you were the wife of Captain Price, you’d accidentally stirred up enough trouble and John didn’t take teasing well.
“Well come with me. I’m Captain Harris. It’s nice to see a new face around here.” The charm this guy was laying on was thick and you weren’t sure if he was a bit of a flirt or overly friendly.
“Thanks, I’m Y/N.” You decided to go with your first name as the shared last name gave you away too quickly; you’d learned your lesson.
“Nice to meet you. You work here?” Now you were starting to feel like John with your hatred of small talk in this moment. Your mind was racing with the thought of your son having just been in a fist fight and you were somewhat ticked off John left you to find your own way back.
“Uh-no. I’m an archeologist, well turned museum curator.” You gave a warm smile not realizing how charming you naturally came off to those around you.
Harris couldn’t remember the last time he’d found himself in a conversation with a woman as pretty as you so he was enjoying this immensely. It also seemed like you were enjoy yourself too. Your general politeness giving Harris the wrong impression. What you saw as basic friendliness was often misconstrued as warmth and flirting here in the UK.
“Beautiful and smart. Quite the package.” The comment instantly had you on edge and your response was to laugh uncomfortably.
Although Captain Harris didn’t see it as you being uncomfortable, he read it as you flirting back. What woman laughs at a man’s jokes and doesn’t find them interesting; at least that was Captains Harris’ train of thought. You also didn’t combat the compliment which must have meant you enjoyed it. He was blind to your awkwardness and saw it a you playing coy.
“I think I know where I am. I can take it from here.” Without looking at the man who you deemed as nice a moment ago and now weren’t a fan of, you turned down the hallway you were walking by. You had no clue if John’s office was that way but you’d figure it out.
“Wait, that’s the wrong way love.” You froze in your tracks as you felt a large unfamiliar hand on your lower back, dangerously close to your ass and the other was lightly gripping your elbow.
Looking up at Captain Harris, his eyes were soft and smile charming, he really thought you found him attractive for some odd reason. His leaned down just a bit so you could hear him better and put himself uncomfortably close to you. Guiding you back toward the direction of John’s office he made his final mistake.
“This way.” Nodding with his head in the proper direction he playfully gave your bottom a tiny little pat, you barely felt it.
If the circumstances were different and the woman he was flirting with was flirting back it wouldn’t have been taken horribly. But that wasn’t the case. You weren’t flirting and he was not your husband. That was enough for you to go to push him off you but he was gone before you could.
Time slowed as you watch this man get pulled by the back of his collar, picked up, and sumo slammed into the floor, hard. The guttural choked gasp that forced its way out of Captain Harris’ lungs as he connected with the floor sounded pained. You wouldn’t be able to forget the sound of a 200lb man hitting the tiled floor with that kind of force.
John was standing over the man wild eyed and radiating a murderous rage. Snatching Harris who was heaving for breath by the collar of his shirt you watched as John wound back and smacked the absolute daylights out of the man. The force behind the strike rang through the hallways and from how loud the clap of skin on skin was you knew that was going to leave a welt across the man’s face.
“Price.” The name was wheezed out as Harris coughed and sputtered form having the wind knocked out of him.
Before you could step in and stop John he had let go of Harris’ collar, letting the man crumple into a heap on the floor. John was panting heavy from anger but was feeling significantly better. All the pent of rage he’d been holding in today left his body as soon as his open hand connected with this man’s face.
“That’s my wife. Touch her again and I swear to god Harris I’ll make you regret it.” John spoke calmly which didn’t fit the situation at all. You also thought that Harris was regretting it right now as he coughed and sounded like he was going to be sick.
You had dumbly been standing there, frozen in place as you watched everything unfold. Normally you’d be hollering and screaming for John to stop but for some odd reason it didn’t piss you off that he just bitch slapped another grown man. It kind of turned you on seeing him defend you.
“C’mon, it’s time for you to go home.” Leaving the man who was now dry heaving on the floor John lightly grabbed your elbow and started to lead you down the hall. You passed by a few others who John stopped and told them to check on Harris because he had tripped. Clearly John wasn’t going to admit to attacking the man.
You were in utter shock and honestly so was John. He really thought you were going to lose your mind after he realized what he had done. When he saw you and Harris he thought nothing of it, just cute you asking for directions because John left you behind. But then he saw the little ass slap and everything went black. Before he registered or knew it John had smashed his peer into the floor and smacked him with all his strength. In his defense he used his left hand as he didn’t want to knock the guy out.
John was feeling antsy by the time he shuffled you into his office. Quiet was not a word he’d use to describe you, and you had been silent the entire walk here. After shutting his office door John braced himself for your inevitable freak out. You had made it clear violence was never the answer and John had done a good job of respecting that in your marriage; save the time two guys knocked the side view mirror off his car and called you a bitch.
Now for some reason John getting into a fight was the biggest turn on. Maybe it was because he didn’t go over overkill? Or that it had been such a horrible day and you felt you needed defending? Either way you were ready to ride him until your legs gave out.
John turned slowly to look at you and in the matter of a second you were on him. Arms flung around his neck and mouth attacking his. It caught John off guard to be shoved against his office door with you all over him, but he wasn’t complaining. He was stunned for a moment but was soon kissing you back. The adrenaline from moments ago was still coursing through his veins and must be the same for you.
John and you were making out sloppy and dirty. His rough hands were grasping and squeezing any part of you he could reach. As your tongues danced together you found yourself unfastening his belt and struggling with the button of his trousers. John rough hands settled on the back of your thighs after grabbing your ass with a tight grip. Picking you up with ease you wrapped your legs around your husbands v-shaped waist letting out a muffled moan against his lips as you ground your hips forward into his toned abdomen. John brought you to his desk, stumbling over himself, then the chair that sat in front of it, and ungracefully sitting you there. You knocked into his monitor and sent his trey of files spilling onto the floor.
“Cap?” A knock sounded on the door and as quickly as you two connected John was detaching himself. He frantically fastened his belt as you hopped off his desk and tidy yourself. You were panting lightly and picking up the files off the floor to hide what you two had just been interrupted doing.
“What?” Like every time today John barked out for whoever dared bother him. He was quietly telling you to stop frantically cleaning but you didn’t listen.
Opening the door slowly Gaz stepped in with an apprehensive look. His eyes fell to you squatted on the ground picking up files, then the monitor on John’s desk that was now crooked, and then to his Captain who was pretending not to notice anything.
“Hey! I have your food right here Kyle.” Standing you plopped John’s files onto his desk and grabbed the extra container of food. You stopped for a moment, realizing half the pie you brought was gone.
“That fucker.” You hissed handing Gaz the container. Gaz was staring at you trying to pretend like he didn’t know what you two had just been up to. He knew if he looked at John he’d be getting a death stare in return.
“Who?” John asked coming off annoyed and finally looking at you.
“Simon. First he steals Kyle’s food and now half my pies missing.” Your agitation didn’t register to John so he brushed the comment off. He was trying to play it cool although Kyle was certain you two would be going at it if he hadn’t interrupted you by accident. It was funny to him that Captain Price was still just a man at the end of the day; a perverted man who was doing what most other men here wished for.
“Thanks Indy.” With a kind smile Kyle turned his attention to John who looked angry. You knew it was because this was the second time you two had been interrupted today.
“Did you assault Captain Harris?” The question had both you and John straightening up.
“Why?” John immediately sounded defensive and you could see in his eyes he was pretending to not be worried.
“Well he just told some of the higher ups you slammed him into the floor and slapped him. I was pulled aside and questioned about your character. Naturally I said you would never, that isn’t like you. But between us, I don’t think Harris is lying; the man’s got a welt in the shape of a hand print across his face.” Gaz spoke matter of factly but you could see the twinkle of concern and amusement in his eyes.
“Fuck.” John cursed and turned his gaze down to his feet.
“Can see the imprint of your bloody ring. You use your left hoping it wouldn’t leave a mark?” To anyone else it might have sounded like Gaz was cracking a joke but you and John knew he was seriously asking.
“Yeah.” John mumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.
“May I ask why, sir?” John waved his hand dismissively and Gaz nodded then looked to you.
“He patted my bum.” You blurted out as soon as you made eye contact.
“Oh, so he had it coming. Good for you, Cap.” Gaz clapped a hand on John’s broad shoulder and thanked you again for the food before leaving.
“I don’t think I should visit again.” You said plainly.
“Might be best.”
——————
It had been a few days since you stopped by base to drop off lunch for your husband and son. You had read Jj the riot act for getting into a fight but it went in one ear and out the other. He nodded along not actually listening and when you asked John for back up he too wasn’t listening.
Now Jj found himself at his first disciplinary hearing. He’d done so well at staying out of trouble and having never crossed any lines that would mean for him to be punished seriously. It was mainly due to the fact when he first joined the military his father’s reputation for being a ruler breaker came to light. Jj learned that his father had a knack for bending the rules and making decision that went against higher ups orders but ultimately being the right call. It made Jj resentful in a way because he was assumed to be short tempered and righteous like John.
Being here felt like he had let himself down. Part of him was so upset with himself while the other knew Wakefield got exactly what he deserved. The last thing said was some crude comment about your tits of all things and Jj lost it. He went absolutely feral and beat the snot out of the asshole while Ghost watched from a distance. Ghost even gave some pointers and call outs to Jj to make things hurt more as he landed blow after blow.
“I see you’re following in your father’s footsteps.” The Court Martial’s voice snapped Jj out of his runaway thoughts.
“Sorry, sir?” He asked confused why his father was being brought up.
“If you had done any more harm to Private Wakefield we’d be throwing the book at you. But we’ve taken in to account the circumstances, a few stepped forward on your behalf, and this is your first offense. For now it’s a two weeks wages forfeited and probation.” The Court Martial leaned forward over his desk and gave Jj a stern look.
“Yes, sir.” Jj answered back in his normal militant voice.
“No more fighting. Although you Price’s seem to have a knack for it.” The last bit was mumbled but Jj had just caught it. It made him frustrated to always be compared to his father no matter how hard he tried to separate himself from John.
“Yes, sir.” Through gritted teeth Jj tried to hide his frustrated feelings.
“Get out of here.” With a wave of his hand the Court Martial sent Jj on his way. He didn’t seem to be too bothered by the situation but Jj was.
Jj didn’t wait around, he made his way to the door as soon as he could. His mind was racing and he was contemplating if he should confront his father. Ask the man to pull his shit together with the rule breaking so Jj would stop getting compared to him negatively. It only took a moment to decide against it, Jj had just gotten in trouble he’d look like a hypocrite.
Walking into the hallway his eyebrows shot up to his hairline. Standing there waiting was none other than his father, Captain John Price. He didn’t mean to but Jj audibly groaned seeing his old man.
“You here to ream me for the disciplinary hearing?” Jj asked hating that he didn’t just get a punishment from the higher ups but would also get an ear full from his father. Not that John had a leg to stand on and Jj would absolutely be throwing that in his face as soon as they were off base.
“No. My disciplinary hearings next.” It was said matter of factly, like John had been outside these doors many times before. The admission had Jj perking up, John wasn’t here to yell at him.
“What!?” Jj was taken aback but not truly surprised that his dad had done something to wind up here. Now it was just a matter of what.
“Yeah, wait outside for me and I’ll drive us home. Your mums cooking up a feast again.” Barely paying attention John pulled out his phone and shot you a text that Jj would be coming for dinner.
“What’d you do?” Stepping forward Jj asked so if anyone passed by they wouldn’t be able to hear.
“Fighting.” John spoke simply, slipping his phone back in his pocket.
“Who!?” Jj felt vindicated hearing this. He thought his dad had gotten caught in a lie or ignored orders. He was not expecting for them both to be here for the same reason.
“Harris.” John said plainly.
A disciplinary hearing wasn’t the worst thing, John usually got out of the consequences once he explained his side. What was frustrating was his son was here to witness him going in to see the Court Martial. John knew they’d planned it this way to maximize the embarrassment and have him be accountable by running into his son. Show him that his proclivity to breaking the rules was being passed on.
“You’re the one who smacked him so hard he’s got a hand print across his face!? Dad you can see the outline of your ring!” Jj was floored absolutely enthralled learning that the man he reported to, Captain Harris, had been bitch slapped by Jj’s own father. No wonder he had been giving Jj extra duties and making his life harder than usual. It wasn’t for his own fighting it was because he was humiliated by John and Jj was the closest person he could take out his frustration on.
“I only hit him once. Harris is a fuckin’ cry baby, always has been. Fucker deserved it, just like Wakefield deserves the broken nose.” John spoke indignantly and truly meant what he said. No one was allowed to mess with his wife and John was proud Jj kicked Wakefields ass so he didn’t have to do it.
“Captain Harris fucked around with mum?” Jj asked realizing the only thing that would ever get his father to actually attack a fellow soldier was you.
“Yep.” John hummed.
Looking to his left John saw lieutenant Simon Riley stalking down the hall. He nodded acknowledging both men and then took a seat right outside the door Jj had come from.
“What are you doing here?” John asked. Normally he was informed if one of his men were having a disciplinary hearing.
“Getting a smack for not breaking up this idiot and Wakefield.” Simon nodded to Jj.
“She’s unintentionally gotten us all into trouble.” John’s head dropped as he reminded himself how lucky of a man he was to call you his. None of this was your fault but like always you brought trouble with you. You just couldn’t help it.
“I don’t know. Saturday was good fun. She should stop by more!” Ghost chuckled darkly.
