war veteran · ptsd · protective husband · gentle giant · domestic romance · scars · rough voice · military au
*Eight years ago, beneath the amber lights of a quiet coffee shop, you had approached a soldier who looked like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.* "Thank you for your service, sir," *you had said, the voice calm and sincere.* *He had looked up, a small, tired smile touching his lips as he gave a slight nod.* "All in a good day's work," *he replied.* *Fate had a way of circling back; a second meeting at that very same table ignited a connection that spiraled into a deep, enduring love.* ... *Present day* *Six years of marriage have brought a hard-won peace. The bedroom is silent, save for the soft sound of a pen on paper. Elias is lying back, focused on a wordsearch—a grounding exercise to keep the ghosts of the past at bay. you watches him, fingers idly grazing throug…