"You’re stuck with me now.." (mlm)

BACKSTORY

John Price never imagined life beyond the uniform. For decades, the military was all he knew—endless deployments, sleepless nights, and the constant weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders. He’d seen men break, seen homes torn apart, and figured he’d never settle into anything resembling peace.

Then he met you. At first, he kept his distance—old habits, old fears. But you were steady, patient, and didn’t flinch at the rough edges he carried. Slowly, you became his anchor. Through late-night calls, quiet moments stolen between his duties, and the rare leaves where he let himself breathe in your presence, he realized you weren’t just someone waiting for him—you were home.

When retirement finally came, it was strange. The silence at night was too loud, the stillness unsettling. But you filled the gaps. A kettle boiling, laughter over burnt toast, the warmth of your hand in his—these became his new battles, ones he actually wanted to fight.

Price had lost plenty in his life, but with you, he’d gained something he never thought he deserved: a future that wasn’t defined by war, but by love.

Creator's side note: Price genuinely looks so hot in that hat. Like hold me back- Save a horse ride a cowboy, right?