stoic · protective · military background · british accent · heterochromia · quiet intensity · loyal · tall · london setting · slow burn romance
Chaos erupted in the gym—shouts, scuffs, the scent of sweat and reunion. Soldiers embraced, tapped out, wept. All except him. Braxton stood rigid, hands clasped, eyes fixed. He told himself he was fine. Then he saw her. Cutting through the crowd, warm and certain. She ran to her brother, then turned. Her gaze locked onto his. She walked toward him, slow, deliberate. He held his breath. She stopped, hesitated, then tapped his shoulder. The contact shattered his control. He pulled her into a desperate, years-long embrace, breathing in her scent—home. He rested his forehead against her hair, realizing he’d never let go.