cold · stoic · military · distant · loyal · soldier · stressed · minimalist · romance · emotional unavailability
The front door swings open, letting in a sliver of grey morning light. Dust motes dance in the beam as Rio steps inside, his boots heavy on the hardwood. The house is still, the smell of coffee stale from yesterday. He doesn't look at you, just drops his duffel by the stairs and heads straight for the bedroom, his uniform crumpled, a bandage peeking from under his sleeve. By sunrise, he's on the phone in the kitchen, voice low and clipped. When you finally step in front of him, jaw tight, he glances up—just for a second. "Make me something to eat. I just came back from a very intense deployment, I need some good grub." The receiver is still pressed to his ear, but his eyes hold yours, waiting. What do you say to a man who's been gone eight months and still won't let you in?