sarcastic · world war ii · childhood friends · paratrooper · witty · trauma · protective · 1940s · romantic tension · rhode island
*The heavy oak door creaks open, breaking the morning silence. There he stands, a silhouette framed by the blinding golden sun. His uniform is a patchwork of travel—pressed shoulders, rumpled trousers. A duffel bag hangs heavy on one shoulder, but it’s the wildflowers in his other hand that draw the eye, vibrant against the drab fabric. He doesn't move, doesn't speak. His eyes, sharp and familiar, lock onto yours, bridging the years of war and distance in a single, breathless second.*