TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains themes of abuse and violence; viewer discretion is advised.

Price had been such an enigma to you since you'd met him nearly a year ago when you joined Bravo Team. Something about him was so mysterious, alluring, but in a strange way. There was something you felt was off about him, even though he acted so normal.

Maybe it was the fact that you were friendly with him and he would, for brief moments, seem to enjoy it, but then abruptly withdraw. Maybe it was because sometimes you felt a connection with him, but every time you two were having a moment, he pulled back. Sure, the other team members had mentioned that he had an on-again-off-again girlfriend, but he never talked about her. And if he loved this other woman, he wouldn't even risk it by spending time with you, would he? It was so bizarre. 

Even more bizarre was how often he'd flinch if you touched him. Sometimes he wouldn't let you walk beside him because he wanted to walk in the back of the group, or he refused to let you see his face because he didn't want to make eye contact. Yeah, it might have been, again, because he had a girlfriend, but all of those things were harmless, right?

Right..?

"Whatcha thinkin' about, (Y/N)?" 

You looked up at Soap, surprised by his sudden appearance beside you. "God, you're like a cat!" you said. "Nothing in particular just lost in thought I guess..." 

Soap chuckled and lit a cigar, releasing a fragrant puff from his mouth. "Well, while you're thinkin', could ya wish me some luck today?"

"Oh?" You cocked a brow at him. "Why? What's going on?"

"Price is lettin' me take the lead today and takin' a step back."

Strange. "Why is that?" you asked.

"I dunno; because? I don't question his decisions if they aren't hurtin' anyone," he said.

During formation, you kept an eye on Price standing in the background. Why was his head so low? The sun cast a deep shadow across his face and he almost looked managing the way he was watching everyone from under the brim of his hat. What was he doing?

Soap broke the meeting, and everyone started for the first task of the day, but it took one look at the Lieutenant for you to tell him you had other plans. MacTavish normally would have stopped you if he hadn't caught you watching the Captain. He nodded and went with the team, leaving you to approach Price.

"John?" you said, and he instantly bristled. You felt your heartbeat quicken, but nonetheless tried to stay collected.

"Should I think you're disobeying orders, (Y/N)?" he asked in a low tone.

You looked away at first, but upon realizing he wasn't looking at you, that he hadn't lifted his head, you straightened. "I want to know why you had Soap take over today... And why you're standing over here like a creep."

He made a sound, like a growl or a groan or irritation. "My business is between me and my Lieutenant; it's none of your concern."

"You're acting strange and I'm worried."

John quickly lifted his head to lock eyes with you, as if to be threatening, but just as quickly looked away again. That was all it took for you to notice that the shadow on his face didn't move. He wasn't able to turn far enough away when you reached out and touched his cheek, guiding his gaze back to you.

You felt a pit of dread in your stomach to see a dark shade of purple that spread from cheek bone to cheek bone, and his eyes were swollen and red. Someone has hit him, and hit him hard. "Who did this to you?" you demanded.

He shook his head and stepped back. "It doesn't matter," he said.

"Yes, it does; who hit you?" He didn't respond and turned away and you grabbed his arm. "John, please-!" He raised his arm and you braced, waiting to feel him shove you away or swat at you. You didn't feel anything and looked at him again.

He was shielding his face.

It didn't make sense. You'd seen him fight before. He was impressive, scary even, and he never flinched when he was involved with hand-to-hand combat. Why was he acting so out of character all of a sudden?

You gently lowered his arm and came closer. John looked at you and there was the slightest glimmer of tears in his eyes. He clearly was uneasy and overwhelmed, and you didn't want to push him too far. You held his hand and cast your eyes down. "I don't want to pressure you, but, when you're ready, I need to know what happened," you said quietly. "It hurts seeing you this way."

John sqeezed your hand and you wrapped him in a hug. He was silent, aside from the occasional slow, deep breath, but then you heard him whisper, ever so quietly. "She did it..."

"... What?" You pulled away to look at him. "She? Who's she?"

"My... ex girlfriend..." He sighed heavily. "That relationship was over so long ago, but I felt bad for her, and... I don't know..."

You touched his face and he leaned into your hand. "Why did she hit you?" you asked.

"It's how she's always shown her emotions when I did something wrong... Last night it was because I told her I couldn't do it anymore, that I was breaking up with her. In her fit of rage she punched me. I didn't... hit her back- I'd never hit her back because I know how strong I am... I'd kill her if I treated her the way she's treated me."

Your eyes rounded. "She's done this before?!" He flinched and you hugged him again. "Oh my God, John, I can't believe you put up with that!"

"I know," he said. "I was stupid... I was so stupid, I shouldn't have-"

"No, no," you said. "You're not stupid... I just..." You felt a knot in your throat and you had to stop to compose yourself. "I don't understand how someone as... incredible as you could settle for someone treating you like you're not. You deserve the best and it makes me sick that she treated you this way."

John wrapped his arms tighter around you and he exhaled a shakey sigh. "Thank you," he said quietly.

You both lingered in that hug for a while before you pulled back again. "Where is she now?"

He scoffed, carefully wiping a tear from his blackened eye. "Not at my place, that's for damn sure. I kicked her out last night along with all of her things."

"Are you worried she might come back?"

"It is a possibility..." he said.

You nodded. "You have my number, don't you?"

John furrowed his brow in thought for a moment. "... Yeah, of course I do."

"Please, let me know if you need a place to stay tonight. I've got a spare bedroom you can stay in, and it's no trouble to me." You smiled sadly. "Don't hesitate if you need anything from me. Okay?"

He grinned and bowed his head, touching his forehead to yours and you could see his body relax. "Thank you, (Y/N)... I might just take you up on that, if you don't mind..?"

Your smile turned genuine. "Of course. I would be happy to have you."

--

Domestic violence is a serious issue. An estimated 1 in 3 women, and 1 in 4 men have experienced physical abuse by a partner at some point in their life, averaging about 10 million victims per year. Sex, age, and orientation DO NOT MATTER; your life and your safety is important. If you or someone you know is being abused by a partner, please contact the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at: 1−800−799−SAFE (1−800−799−7233)

To read more about the Domestic Abuse Hotline, visit: 
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/family-violence-prevention-services/programs/ndvh

Statistics:
https://www.ncadv.org/statistics