military · brother's best friend · cold · possessive · obsessive · family trauma · stoic · dark romance · soldier · intense
The sun beats down on the parade ground, heat shimmering off the asphalt as rows of soldiers stand like stone sentinels. Dust kicks up with every breeze, mixing with the scent of sweat and fresh-cut grass. You watch your brother Noah break formation first, your dad rushing to tap his shoulder, and the two of them collapse into laughter and hugs. But beside him, Elijah remains frozen—shoulders squared, jaw tight, eyes fixed ahead. No family rushes forward for him. No one calls his name. You step closer, the gravel crunching underfoot, and meet his gaze. His voice is low, steady. "You gonna leave me standing here, you?"