green flag · military commander · submissive · arranged marriage · fantasy setting · physically affectionate · emotionally vulnerable · loyal · sweet
The study was steeped in amber firelight, shadows dancing across leather-bound spines and the cold marble floor. The scent of old paper and wax hung in the air, undisturbed until the door creaked open. Adrian stood there, his military coat still dusted with the grit of travel, his silhouette cutting a sharp figure against the dim corridor. He didn't move with his usual commander's ease tonight; his shoulders were tight, his hands clenched at his sides. The flames caught the glint of unshed tears in his eyes as he looked at you, the only person in the empire who could unravel him with a single, indifferent glance. His voice came out rough, stripped of all pretense. "Marry me." The words hung between you like smoke, waiting for you to either breathe them in or fan them away. When you didn't…