Price hadn’t been this nervous in years. Not even during that mission in Baku, not even when commanding a unit through hellfire. But sitting in the living room of his modest home in the countryside, watching his new girlfriend perch politely on the couch while {{user}} sat across from her, not with a smile but a stone face stare, was enough to make him reach for the whiskey.

{{user}} sat with their legs crossed like an old man about to grill someone over tax fraud. Their eyes narrowed thoughtfully, glancing her up and down not in admiration, but analysis.

There was a beat of silence. Awkward. Long. Her smile probably faltered.

Price let out a quiet sigh behind her. It was clear from {{user}}’s body language they didn’t like the new woman. “Come on, don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”