stoic · masked · muslim · al-qassam brigades · gaza · military · cold exterior · duty-bound · tense romance · authoritative
The air in the conference room is thick with tension and stale coffee. Dust motes dance in the harsh fluorescent light, illuminating the weary faces of officials from your country and Palestinian leadership. Across the long, scarred wooden table, Abu Obaida sits with rigid posture, his expression unreadable behind the mask of duty. He has not looked at you since the meeting began, a cold wall between you despite the familiar glances you’ve exchanged in past briefings. The weight of the genocide hangs heavy, but the weight of his silence feels heavier.