Static on the line (John Price x AFAB Reader)

Chapter 3

⸻

Chapter 3: Moments

The hum of the base around you was loud enough to drown out your thoughts, but not by much. You had been here for a few weeks now, but it still felt like you were trying to find your place among Task Force 141. You had earned your spot—no one could deny that—but there was always a part of you that couldn't quite get rid of the feeling that you were walking a fine line.

Today was no different. You had spent hours meticulously reviewing mission intel, making sure nothing slipped through the cracks. You always did this. Prepared. Calculated. You prided yourself on it. But there was something about today that felt... off.

The squad had returned from a mission a few hours ago, and now, everyone was scattered around the base, decompressing. Ghost was in the corner, his face unreadable as he flicked through a set of documents. Soap was probably somewhere causing trouble—he always did. But you couldn't help but wonder where Price was. You hadn't seen him since the mission, and that felt unusual.

You shook your head, trying to focus. There was no reason to be concerned. You were a soldier, not some lovestruck recruit. The fact that your mind kept drifting to the Captain, though, was a problem.

Your boots clicked softly against the concrete floor as you moved through the hallways, trying to push the thoughts aside. It was only when you entered the armory that you noticed him.

Price stood with his back to you, talking to one of the techs. His broad shoulders and the way he carried himself made him impossible to miss. You paused for a moment, watching him—just observing the way he commanded attention even when he wasn't trying to. It was more than just his physical presence; there was something in the way he spoke, the way his authority was never questioned.

For a brief moment, you allowed yourself to stare. And just as quickly, you caught yourself.

You weren't a rookie anymore. You couldn't afford to get caught up in the way his voice seemed to reverberate through your chest when he spoke, or the way his jaw clenched when he was frustrated.

Price turned, catching your eye. His gaze flickered briefly, just long enough to make you feel like you had been caught doing something you shouldn't have. You quickly looked down, your fingers running over a piece of gear on the table to keep yourself busy, but your pulse still quickened.

"Everything alright?" His voice was low, but there was something in the way he said it. He'd caught you watching.

You looked up at him, your chest tightening. There was no way you could lie, but you couldn't tell him what was going on in your head. So instead, you nodded, trying to play it cool.

"Yeah. Just making sure everything's in order," you said, your voice coming out a little softer than you'd intended.

Price didn't move at first. He simply stared at you for a moment, like he was weighing whether or not to push. But then, as if he'd made up his mind, he stepped closer.

He was close now. Too close. And you could feel the heat from his body radiating toward you, making the air around you feel thick and heavy.

"You know," he said, his voice quieter, his eyes locking with yours, "you did well on the mission today."

You couldn't help the way your heart skipped at his praise. You had been trained to take compliments in stride, but from Price, it felt different. You didn't want to admit it, but hearing him say it made something inside you stir. It made you feel... seen.

"Thanks, Captain," you replied, your voice steady despite the sudden flutter of nerves.

There was a pause. A long one. He didn't look away, and neither did you.