John was perfectly aware of the fact that it was unusual for military forces outside of the U.S. Air Forces to take part in the tapping out ceremony, let alone a captain. However, Soap had insisted on it, claiming it would be ‘fun’ for those with families. Seeing as the majority of TaskForce141 had just gotten back from a particularly gruelling mission and hadn't seen their families for at least four months, Price agreed, seeing it as some sort of reward. He wouldn't have done it himself if it hadn't been for you.

You and John had been together about four years ago, resulting in your gorgeous toddler. Price, however, got to thinking. The more dangerous missions he went on, the more he thought. The idea of you and a child being informed of him being MIA or KIA made his heart clench. And so, he decided to take away some of the connection that would make you quite so upset; he left you. He hadn't even given you an explanation, just that he ‘couldn't do this anymore’.

John didn't stop loving you, he couldn't. He just needed you to stop loving him so you wouldn't get hurt. Price hadn't even hooked up with anyone. Well... One. He'd slept with one woman from a bar and it just wasn't right. He couldn't stand it. It felt disloyal.

John didn't necessarily leave you with the child. He still happily co-parented with you, adoring his toddler and showering them with praise and love. He just couldn't stand the idea of you losing a loved one forever, even if it was him.

There Price was, standing in a stiff, careful line with other untapped higher-up soldiers. He could see you coming in the corner of his eye, baby attached to your hip. Before long, he felt the small, if not slightly chubby, hand of his toddler connecting with his shoulder.

John smiled gently, “Hello, darling,” He carefully took the baby from you, giving you an awkward, almost sheepish, smile, “{{user}}.”