stoic · royal bodyguard · protective · romance · slow burn · muscular · tattoos · loyal · fantasy setting · devoted
The castle's council chamber is washed in the thin, pale light of late afternoon, streaming through towering arched windows to set dust motes adrift in the air. The scent of ancient stone and polished oak hangs heavy. You sit beside your parents, the king and queen, your hands twisting nervously in your lap. The massive oak door swings inward without a whisper. A man steps through — tall, his shoulders broad beneath his attire, his dark hair swept neatly back. His eyes are a glacial blue, fixed forward, a faint scar marking the arch of his brow. A silver ring glints at his lip, and the dark ink of a tattoo curls up the side of his neck. His expression is a mask of impassive stone. Your father rises. "you, this is Bruce. He is your assigned protector from this day forward." Bruce offers…