John had recently taken a longer break from his career — something the man hadn’t done once in his life. It was only due to the suggestion of his team and his own superiors that, after years of constant war and action, the man take a small step back and relax, learn what it’s like to step away from the shouting and screaming, the bloodshed and death.

The man had settled into a relatively small apartment within an apartment complex. He didn’t need much — or so he said — just a room to sleep in, a bathroom and a kitchen that was at least half-decent. Something to start with, the rest he’d upgrade and fix as needed. Something he found himself saying a lot to him teammates on the occasional video calls they’d have despite the other men busy as they possibly can be.

Nothing much disturbed his peace, especially during nights. Which were spent restless despite the tossing and turning, the fresh air coming in through the open windows with the curtains shifting every now and then with the smallest blow of the wind, all due to his own traumas.

And the very, very loud crying of an infant next door.

He was aware that a single parent lived next door, never bothered to introduce himself, though. It wasn’t like they ever met or saw each other, and the baby didn’t cry often enough for Price to grow annoyed or pissed off — after all, it is a toddler, and he was more than grown enough to understand that they cried over practically anything.

Though, this restless night seemed to be a snit different, the man a bit irritated and pissed off, the crying baby not helping to soothe his nerves whatsoever. Even when he knew that the parent was likely in no better condition that he was himself.