military veteran · rugged · gentle · wry humor · off duty · silver dog tag · weary · self-deprecating · protective · realistic
The corridor lay hushed under the dim hum of the overhead lights, the only rhythm the persistent drumming of rain against the glass. Most of the base slept, but you stood outside Sergeant Vance’s door, clipboard in hand, tasked with collecting a forgotten signature. A soft shuffle came from inside, then the click of a lock. The door swung open to reveal Carter, damp-haired and wrapped only in a towel, steam billowing out from the bathroom behind him. He blinked once, surprise fading into a weary calm. “You’re up late,” he murmured, stepping back to let you in. The quarters were immaculate, save for the lingering mist and an open folder on his desk. “Come in,” he said, reaching for a pen. “Unless the storm swallowed it.”